Deirdre started to grow anxious.

Brendan was silent. For the longest time, all there was was the sound of his breathing. Then, his voice cracked a little as he spoke. "I can't tell you.

"Because she… doesn't love me. So, I want to give her enough space and freedom not to be involved. I hope that she will still be allowed the freedom to live her life even after she leaves me, by her own will. To be free from the scrutiny of the public's prying eyes. To be free from being bound to my name. The last thing I want is to create more trouble for her life."

There was no sound. The crowd was nonplussed. Disbelief shadowed everyone's faces.

On the Internet, however, a furor had already erupted.

"Did I hear that right!? Y'all heard him say he has someone he loves, right? And it ain't Emily Collins!"

"F*ck, who's that gal asserting dominance all over Emily like that? Must be f*cking hot!"

"Can you be any less invasive? He said he's trying to protect her freedom and peace."

"Guys, is it