"Miranda!" That was the first time Elvis had ever raised his voice at me, and tears instantly spilled from my eyes.
Elvis thought he'd scared me and immediately softened his tone. "Don't cry. I didn't mean to snap at you."
He sighed. "Miranda, can you give me some time? I need a few days alone to think."

I nodded and watched him leave. Elvis didn't drive away immediately after getting in his car. Instead, he rolled down the window and stared at me with that intense gaze.
"Miranda, until I give you an answer, you're not allowed to find other men to meet your physical needs."
Elvis drove off, and I felt like all the energy had been drained from my body. There was an indescribable ache in my chest, and I finally couldn't hold back anymore. I crouched down and sobbed into my hands.
After all these days together, saying I didn't have feelings for Elvis would definitely be a lie. However, I could never again love someone wholeheartedly without any reservations.
If Caesar—with all his wealth and status—couldn't stay faithful, what chance did I have with someone like Elvis? Would he really be able to turn down other women and stick with just me? I wasn't willing to bet on it.
I was terrified of watching his gaze slowly change from their current burning intensity to coldness, and finally to disgust. The thing I regretted most right now was getting involved with Elvis that drunken night.

I didn't give Elvis enough time. After just two days, I was already planning to be a coward and run away from Snowcall. I met up with Erica for drinks the night before leaving.
"You look absolutely radiant. Elvis must be taking really good care of you," Erica teased.
I took a swig of my drink, trying to act like it didn't matter. "Erica, I've decided to leave Snowcall."
Erica looked shocked. "Why? Is Elvis treating you badly? Don't tell me he's a player like Caesar!"

I put my hand on my agitated friend's arm and explained, "It's not that. It's my problem. I don't want to be in a relationship. I can't give Elvis the security he needs."
Erica stared at me like I was some kind of heartbreaker. "Miranda, this isn't fair to Elvis. You can't reject every man just because of Caesar. Why won't you try giving Elvis a chance?"
I shook my head. "Forget it. I can't risk another eight years."
Erica slammed her hand on the table. "Miranda, Caesar spent eight years manipulating you! It's not that you don't trust men anymore. You just don't believe you're worth real love and happiness!"
Erica's words left me stunned. All those years of constant breakups and makeups had left me walking on eggshells around Caesar, terrified that one wrong word would send him storming off again.
His constant put-downs had wrecked my confidence so much that I'd stopped believing in love altogether.
But was I really that terrible? Did I really not deserve to be loved?
Erica wrapped her arms around me. "Babe, you're an amazing person! You're gorgeous, you have an incredible figure, and you light up every room you walk into. And it's not just your looks—you have such a kind, beautiful heart! If I were a man, I'd marry you in a heartbeat!
"So Miranda, you deserve to be loved. You deserve to be loved by everyone. Caesar's going to spend the rest of his life regretting that he lost you."
I looked at Erica with tears in my eyes. "Erica, thank you. You're right. I am good enough, and I do deserve love. Caesar can go to hell!"
She hugged me happily. "Now cancel that plane ticket. Don't think I don't know you've already packed to leave.
"And go find Elvis!"