The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 552

Josh's hand froze in midair over his coffee cup.

The milk foam on the Caramel Macchiato had formed a thin film at the rim. He stared down at that layer, looking as if he were watching something slowly, irreversibly shatter.

After a long moment, he set his cup back on the saucer. The porcelain clinked with a soft, brittle sound.

"Sloane," his voice was tight, the smile still frozen on his lips, but the warmth draining from it second by second. "You want to break up? Why?"

"I'm sorry, Josh." Sloane lowered her eyes, her finger tracing a slow circle around the rim of her mug. "I don't think... I can keep being with you."

"Why?"

Josh asked again, faster this time, a tremor slipping into his voice that he tried desperately to suppress. "Do you still have feelings for Garrison? Did he win you over? Did you fall in love with him again? Do you want to get back together with him?"

His agitation spiked, his fingertips pressing so hard against the table that his knuckles turned white.

Sloane took a deep breath, looked up, and met his red-rimmed eyes.

Her gaze held heartache and guilt, but she didn't look away.

"Josh, I admit it—I still have feelings for Garrison. But it's different from five years ago. I never planned on getting back together with him. It's just... when he decides to take all the blame on his own, I can't just be a deserter."