Since I could not truly fall in love with him, the best thing to do was to break up gracefully. There was a silence between us. Guilt surrounded me like a wave, nearly choking me. I had hurt someone who had been so nice to me.

"Sofia, you do not have to feel guilty. We can be very good friends even if we are not dating. Those five years were not unreal and meant something," said Oliver.

To him, the fact that he got to remain at my and Buddy's side for that period of five years was blessing enough.

I looked down, my eyes brimming with tears. I croaked,...