Xander: "It's already been decided."

Amelia: Voice shaking "So, that's it? You're ending things between us?"

Xander: "It's for the best."

She felt tears welling up, but anger surged forth.

Amelia: "For who? Certainly not for me. You're not protecting me; you're hurting me."

Xander: "I'd rather you hurt now than suffer a far worse fate later."

Amelia: "You're underestimating me. I chose this path knowing the dangers."

He clenched his fists.

Xander: "You don't understand the full extent of what's coming."

Amelia: "Then explain it to me! Stop shutting me out."

He faced her, eyes filled with a mix of pain and resolve.

Xander: "Amelia, please. Just accept this."

Amelia: "No. I won't just accept it. I love you, Xander."

He closed his eyes briefly, her words piercing through his defenses.

Xander: "And I love you. That's why I'm doing this."

Amelia: "Love doesn't abandon when things get tough."

Xander: "Sometimes love means making hard choices."

Amelia: "This isn't love. This is fear."

He looked away.

Xander: "Maybe it is. But it's the only way I know to keep you safe."

She stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm.

Amelia: "Let me decide what's best for me."

He gently pulled away.

Xander: "I'm sorry."

Silence hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

Amelia: Whispering "If you do this, there's no going back."

He swallowed hard.

Xander: "I know."

She stared at him, searching for any sign that he might change his mind. Finding none, she nodded slowly.

Amelia: "Then I guess there's nothing more to say."