Bella's words revealed a sense of helplessness and finality.
Jack watched as tears streamed down her face, his chest tightening. Without thinking, he reached for a tissue and gently wiped them away.
At that moment, an unexpected warmth filled his heart. For the first time in a long while, he felt something close to happiness.
It didn't matter if Bella had once played games with him or if she had wavered. What mattered was now. There was no point dwelling on what he couldn't have. It was time to cherish what was right in front of him.
Feeling his touch, Bella let out a soft laugh, her voice regaining its usual tenderness.
"Big Bun, from now on, don't call me Bella anymore. Just call me Belle, okay? I like the way it sounds."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, full of hope and happiness.
Jack nodded. He understood. Calling her "Belle" felt more intimate and affectionate, just like the way she always called him Big Bun. It was something that belonged only to the two of them.
A light blush crept up Bella's cheeks. She quickly turned away, running to the desk where she had placed a carefully packed meal.
"Have you eaten yet? I've brought you dinner." She had put real thought into the meal, making sure it was filled with all of his favorite dishes. This wasn't just food. It was her way of caring for him.
After dinner, they went running together in the hills behind campus.
The night deepened, and by the time they finally parted ways, neither of them wanted to say goodbye.
…
Back in her dorm, Bella had just finished showering when she overheard Luna talking on the phone with her boyfriend.
When she walked past, Luna hung up and turned to her, raising an eyebrow.
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