~August 29 2025~

Oh this was breaking her heart. She couldn't do this. She couldn't lie to him about this! He had the right to know... but she had to. Several of her co-workers have gone missing already because of the Purgers. It was the only way. She strengthened her resolve. "Here," she pulled her wedding ring from her finger. She was so fond of it but... if this was going to be real... she had to give it back. "I know what it means to you... to your family. It wouldn't be right if I kept it."

She offered it to him.

Darien's expression was stern. "I gave it to you. It belongs to you. I will not take it back." His face softened.

"If you don't want it, sell it or throw it away. I gave it to you, it's up to you what you do with it."

"No please," she couldn't bare to keep it, but she couldn't throw it away or sell it either. "You can give it to your next...-" she couldn't say it "-...lover."

Diana turned away quickly, she couldn't help the tears that we trickling down her face.

Darien shook his head.

"I won't have another lover...My heart belongs to you. It always has and it always will. Please, don't make me take it back." Whether he was referring to the ring or his heart was unclear.

The trickle of tears earlier was followed by the flow of tears now. Diana literally staggered downwards.

Darien darted forwards and caught her. "Careful."

He stared at her with worry in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

She was sobbing now. "How could you say that? I've just... I've just... I'm pregnant with you're Nick's - you're rival's baby. You're suppose to hate me now. Not catching me, not telling me that you'll never love another... that doesn't make any sense."

Oh she felt so bad. So utterly bad. She felt as if the world's entire weight were on her shoulders.

Darien shrugged. "I...I told you I could never hate you."

"Why?" Diana asked through her tears. "I hate me right now."

Darien frowned. "You shouldn't." He pulled her upright again, without taking away his support.

Diana held on to him. "Darien... I -" Love you, she wanted to say. But instead she said, "I never wanted any of this to happen..."

"Neither did I..." Darien sighed.

"...I guess this is goodbye."

No. She didn't want Darien to say good bye. She wanted everything to be back to the way they were, before Darien left. She wanted to tell him that the baby was his. She wanted... she wanted him back.

But she couldn't. The purgers... the bloody purgers. She hated them. They've caused so much damage already. And they don't seem to be stopping.

She had to say good bye.

"Yeah," Diana said smiling, but it was a sad smile. "Good bye..."

Darien felt tears well up in his eyes, but he stopped them spillling over with some difficulty.

"...Goodbye Diana."

"Good bye..." And she kissed him. She meant it to be chase, to be just a mere peck but she couldn't help but linger.

Darien returned the kiss, but eventually broke away, from a second that felt like a lifetime.

"...Look after yourself." He turned to go.

Diana nodded, "You too, please take care."

It was then Nicolas decided to re-enter the scene.

He was about to make some snide comment but his words died at the sight of the both of them and he was rendered silent. "...I'll come back later..."

"No need." Darien walked slowly to the door.

"I was just leaving anyway."

With a single, sad glance over his shoulder at Diana, Darien Vaight walked out of her life.

Forever.

DUN DUN DUN!

End Scene