Chapter 82. Past

I sat there, staring at the paper I was holding, feeling drowsy. I still couldn't get over what happened last night. I don't know, but it felt like everything happened so fast, and I couldn't wrap my head around it.

Flashback.

Carl's eyes were filled with hope as he gazed at me, shifting his attention from the sparkling ring in the box.

"This isn't the engagement proposal I've dreamed of for you, Dianna. I know you deserve the best, but if this is what it takes to keep you..."

"We don't like each other that way, Carl. I consider you a friend," I replied. "Maybe you're just feeling pressured, that's why you're acting this way."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Who said I don't like you? Dianna, I'm not as numb as you are. I know when I'm attracted to someone. I know what I want, and I can feel what people feel about me."

"But I really just feel friendship for you, Carl," I insisted because that was the truth. "What do you mean by 'numb'? I'm confus