Don't tell me that, she thought, suddenly breathing harshly, like she was about to lose all sense of self-control, like she could no longer hold back the tears prickling the insides of her eyelids. It'll just make things harder when it ends, when you leave, when I'm all alone again.

It was only when he pulled away that she opened her eyes, unable to school her expression before giving him a good look at all the emotions she was feeling - the conflict, the guilt and sadness, the understanding and regret.

The love.

"You're going to leave me", he replied, and it was a statement, not a question, and there was no blame or anger in her voice, just a heartbroken acceptance. "But I'll be alright - "

A lie.

"And ... I hope you'll remember that I love you, too."