A/N: Well, I said I would warn you all. And I regret to inform that the moment you have all been dreading has finally arrived. I was going to rest, given that the previous chapter took a lot out of me emotionally (yes, I cried), but I figured I'd rip this next part off like a band-aid and get it over with. But don't worry. Time will pass by the end of next chapter so I won't prolong SQ from seeing each other again soon.

Happy reading! Also on a shorter note: I shall write as much as I can, and post what I can. Hurricane Beryl is unfortunately upsetting mother nature, so depending if we suffer a power outage, I may or may not be absent for a few days. If any of you live anywhere near where the hurricane will strike, please stay away from all windows. Stay indoors and stay safe.

Chapter 16: A Broken Heart

"Ah! There she is!" Joe greeted Emma with a smile as he stood behind his glass counter.

"Hey, Joe. Good morning." Emma smiled happily, knowing what beautiful item awaited her.

"I heard about Graham." Joe frowned. "I hope they catch whoever did such a terrible thing to him. I truly do."

"Yeah, me too. He's doing much better, though. He's coming home today."

"Graham's coming home and you'll be leaving it." Joe shakes his head. "It's amazing how the world rotates sometimes, huh?" Emma grinned. "Okay, okay, I won't keep you any longer. I know you have some business to take care of. So…" He pulled back a small piece of cloth, revealing a simple yet beautiful gold ring with a single carat diamond, sparkling along with the light. "Here it is."

"Oh, Joe…" Emma breathed through her smile. Her eyes sparkled like that single diamond along the gold band. It was far more beautiful than she expected it to be.

"So? What do you think? We like it?" He asked.

Emma delicately held the ring between her forefinger and thumb, observing it closely. "What do I think?" Regina was going to love it. "It's beautiful. Thank you so much." She tucked it safely inside her pocket.

"My pleasure," Joe smiled.

"And now for the million dollar question… how much do I owe you?" Emma pulled out her wallet.

Joe chuckled, "Don't worry. It won't be a million dollars."

Regina couldn't sleep a wink the entire night. She had never struggled to sleep before in her life, but last night was a first of what she suspected would be many nights to come from here on out. She still couldn't believe that her very own mother would be such a cold hearted person. Actually, she could believe it, but she never thought she would act this way. Most mothers would give up their own lives to see their children happy.

It was her fault. It was because of her that Graham was lying in a hospital. It was because of her that Emma's life was now a moving target. And she wasn't about to allow her mother or anyone to hurt what she loved the most. Any word of this could also potentially damage her father, and right now- from here on out- Henry was the only good thing in her life.

Regina's brown eyes turned bloodshot all over again as she reached for her phone and dialed Kathryn. She drew in a deep a breath, attempting to compose herself as the line rang and clicked. "Regina?" Kathryn's voice vibrates on the other end.

"Kathryn," Regina's voice trembled as her throat cleared.

"What's wrong?" She asked, getting no response. "Regina? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Said Regina. "Listen. I need you to do me a big favor, okay? And please, don't ask me any questions."

"Sure. Name it. What's the favor?"

"I need you to take my luggage over to your apartment, please. Keep them there. I'll be by later."

"O-of course."

"Also," Regina breathes. "Is it alright if I stay with you tonight? I really don't want to be alone."

Regina could imagine Kathryn's brows bunching in confusion. "Regina, what is going on? I thought you and Emma-"

"Kathryn, please. Please," her voice breaks a little more this time. "You promised you wouldn't ask me any questions."

"Alright. Don't worry about anything. I'll be waiting for you at my apartment."

"Thank you."

"I'll see you later."

Regina sobbed as soon as the line fell dead. Her phone clutched in her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned white. How did everything get so messed up? So impossible for her and Emma? Her eyes shoot open at the sound of her door opening.

"You're still here?" Cora enters her bedroom. "I thought you would have already gone to play your part."

Regina's jaw tensed as she wiped her tears, her shoulders rising and falling as she moved over to her vanity to re-apply her make-up. "Don't worry. If you're worried I won't do what you asked of me, you can put your mind at ease."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Cora watches her daughter, standing behind her.

Regina reaches for her purse, hanging it along her shoulder, "Excuse me." She walks past her mother, feeling her hand grip tightly onto her arm.

"I know you hate me right now, Regina. And I know that it's a lot for you to understand that I am doing this out of love for you." She looks into her daughter's eyes as Regina glares back. "You might not see it now, but you will. I only want what's best for you."

Regina chuckled coldly, "No. You only want what's best for you."

"Either way, Emma isn't right for you. Can you imagine? What kind of life would she even have to offer you? Living in a rat hole apartment, begging for scraps at every turn?" Cora shakes her head.

The corner of Regina's lip slightly lifts, "I'd rather live in a rat hole than under your roof."

"Anybody home?" Henry's voice calls from downstairs.

"Regina," Cora's hand tightens along Regina's arm. "Compose yourself. You wouldn't want to upset your father."

Regina yanks her arm back and marches right out of her bedroom door, meeting with her father halfway through the hallway.

"Regina? Are you alright?" Henry asks, noticing something off about Regina.

"I'm fine. I have to go, I'm running late. I have to meet with Kathryn." Regina forces a smile, placing a quick kiss along her father's scruffy cheek.

"Well-"

"I'll be staying with Kathryn, so please, don't wait up for me." Regina marches down each step, not paying any attention to her mother who lingers by her doorway.

"Regina, wait-" Henry's brows furrowed. He turns to Cora as soon as the front door slams closed.

"That girl is always in a rush. We have to do something about her, Henry." Cora sighs.

"Something is wrong." Henry frowns.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that's not Regina."

Cora snorts, "Of course that's Regina, Henry. Who else would it be?"

"No, Cora. That," he points toward the stairs. "Is not my daughter. Something is wrong. I can feel it."

Cora rolls her eyes, "Henry, you are making up stories in your mind. You're seeing things that aren't there, darling. It's no wonder Regina constantly lives with her head in the clouds." She walks past him.

Henry follows Cora, rooting himself to the ground. "Did you have something to do with whatever is going on with her?"

Cora whirls around. "Where the devil do you get off asking me such a question, Henry? Why am I always the bad guy every single time Regina has one of her tantrums? Why can't you make this big of a deal over your other daughter?"

"Do not make this about Zelena, Cora," Henry takes a step toward his wife. His eyes glaring. "What you need to do, as her mother, is show a little consideration toward Regina like you show for Zelena. This is far more than a tantrum- something is seriously wrong here, for goodness sake!"

"Lower your voice!" Cora snaps before calming down. "It's not good for your heart. Regina is just going through a heartbreak is all. Seems whoever she was seeing- behind our backs- broke up with her and now she's grieving."

"What?" Henry blinked.

"Yes. Frankly, I hope this is a life lesson for her." Cora lifts her chin. "If she would have set her eyes on someone better this wouldn't be happening to her."

"Someone better," Henry snorts. "Like who? Robin Locksley?"

"And why not?" Cora shrugs. "He's young, successful and he has every financial means to secure a future for her, Henry. If you were smart, you would push her to marry that boy."

"Marry him?" Henry's brows furrow. "Are you out of your ever loving mind? Regina doesn't love him. You can't force him on her-"

"Maybe not, but with time, Regina will see that he is the right man for her."

Henry puffs out his chest, taking a hard step before Cora that it makes her withdraw a step back. "Now you listen to me Cora," he lifts a finger in front of her face. "You will not interfere in our daughter's love life. I forbid it!"

"Forbid it?" Cora's brow lifts. "And who are you to forbid anything to me, Henry?"

"I'm serious, Cora." Henry's frown hardens.

"Oh, calm down, Henry. If Regina ever decides to give Robin a chance, it will be because she wants to. I won't have anything to do with it."

"You better be certain of that," Henry seeths. "Because if I find out that you have anything to do with her and Robin or if you had anything to do with her breakup; I will divorce you so fast, it'll make your head spin." His shoes stomp on the way to his bedroom, leaving Cora to stare at him wide-eyed.

Emma ran along the docks after Regina had texted her and asked if they could meet here. She found it a bit odd, but didn't think anything of it. Perhaps she wanted for them to soak in some of the sun before they left for New York. Maybe it was nostalgia and she was remembering when they saw each other for the second time.

Emma stopped as she tapped her fingers along her pocket, where her ring remained safe. This was a better place than any to ask properly for her hand today before they left. She would have to ask for her hand again once things settled and they came back to Boston.

"Gina!" Regina quickly wiped away at her tears, drawing in a breath before seeing Emma meet up with her on the boat. "I'm sorry, I'm late," she places a kiss along Regina's lips. "I'm still finishing up packing all of my clothes, but I'm almost set. And then we'll be ready to go." She smiles, but her smile quickly fades as she notices Regina isn't smiling. "What's the matter?"

Regina's chin wobbled, but she gobbled down that ache, all the way to where it created a crack along her heart. "Emma," she clears her throat. "We have to talk."

"Yes," Emma smiled, reaching for Regina's hands. "We most certainly do. Come on, sit down," she ushers Regina over to one of the seats along the boat, sitting right beside her.

"It's time to wake up. And you will wake up." Her mother's words pounded inside of her head, making it even harder for Regina to put on this act that not only will be the end of her, but of Emma as well. "Emma-"

"Listen, Gina-" As Emma laughs a little, Regina allows herself for a laugh of her own as they speak over each other. She will miss these moments with Emma. Every single moment. "You go first." Said Emma.

"No," Regina shook her head, wanting to prolong this torturous event. "Go ahead, I'm sorry."

"Well," Emma drew in a breath. "I was speaking to Mary Margaret. And guess what?"

"What?" Regina forces a smile. There was nothing to be happy over. Not anymore.

"Turns out, she doesn't want me to be without a car in New York, so," she grins. "She is giving me her car!"

"Really?" Regina feels a sting of happiness. For Emma.

"Yeah! I mean, can you believe it? Our own car!"

Our own car. Her words just make Regina frown all over again. Where did their dreams go? Where did their hope go? But most importantly… where will their love go after doing what needed to be done? For Emma's safety. Regina wasn't going to be responsible for Emma's life to be cut short like her mother warned her it would. Even if she believed, deep in her heart that someone else might be behind this. But Regina would rather live feeling responsible for Emma's broken heart, than her broken life.

"Gina," Emma tilted her head, smiling as Regina blinked. "Did you hear what I said?"

"Yeah, sorry," Regina blinked again. "What did you say?" Her cheeks grew pink.

Emma chuckled, "I said that Mary Margaret was thinking about driving to New York next weekend to visit us at our apartment. She insists on giving us some used up furniture she can get us from some donation centers. I told her no, but you know how she is." She rolls her eyes.

Regina wins over her sob with a forced chuckle, "Never one to take no for an answer."

"That's Mary Margaret. And you know what else I thought of?"

"Tell me." Another smile forced.

"Well, New York is known for its art museums, you know, so you won't have a problem- with your talent- finding a good agent. And you'll see. Between both our savings, we'll eventually get a nicer place."

"Emma," Regina squeezes Emma's hand, not wanting to let go. "That sounds like a dream." She said, fighting back tears.

"It wouldn't have been possible without you, Gina." Emma smiles, squeezing her hand back.

Regina shakes her head. "That's not true. You could have done just as well on your own, I'm sure of it."

"Maybe, but, it's a hundred times better now that you're going to be my wife."

What if they ran away right now? What if she told Emma everything that happened last night? Emma wouldn't leave her side. She would help her. She would confront her mother, and take her away from here. But then what would happen to her father? What if Emma became hurt while Regina had to instantly fly because her father had a heart attack? Was that possible?

She couldn't take this anymore. "Emma. About that-" she drew in a breath. "I really have to tell you that, I-"

"Hold on a second," Emma lifted her hands. "I want to do something first." She digs into her pocket and drops down to one knee.

No. Please don't do that. Not now. Regina's lips part open as she can't hold back the tears anymore. "Emma, what are you-?" Her voice breaks so much that she can't even dare to finish that question to what was obviously happening here.

"I said I wanted to do this right, but seeing as we don't have another choice," Emma holds out the ring before Regina, her eyes sparkling just like the diamond in the sunlight. "Regina."

Regina sobs, attempting to compose herself.

"Will you marry me?" Emma asked, awaiting her answer.

But instead of getting an answer, Regina stands from where they are sitting and paces to the other side. She can feel Emma's quizzical eyes trained on her while she waits. Her eyes shut as she fights back down every ounce of hurt she feels in her heart, drying her tears in the process. "No." She says dryly.

Emma's smile slowly turns into a frown.

"If you don't wish to see this girl's life meet a tragic end, you will break things off with her. You will wake up from this fantasy land that you've built, and start living in reality."

Regina shuts her eyes as her mother's voice won't shut up. She draws in a sharp breath, with enough courage to look at Emma square in the eye as she's kneeling before her.

"You are going to do what you do best every single time Robin walks into a room. Lie and act through your teeth."

"I can't marry you, Emma." Said Regina, her voice turning up a cold front. "I mean… think about it. What kind of life would I be living with you in New York? Cramped in a small apartment, eating on the floor, pizza every night, cold pizza for breakfast because we don't have enough money to buy some actual food?" She shakes her head. "That's you. But… that's not me."

Emma's lips part before her frown only deepens. A crease forms along her brow from the sun being in her beautiful eyes which Regina has a hard time seeing through her tears.

Tears that Regina quickly wipes away. "I'm sorry. But I had to tell you this in person, instead of cowering away and breaking up with you over a text message. So, in case it's not clear, I won't be going to New York with you. I can't. I belong here in Boston with my family and with…" She bites her tongue just thinking of the sour aftertaste that a certain name will leave on it. "With Robin. Because you were right. I don't see," her voice breaks on its way out. "How you will ever be able to offer me what I am accustomed to."

Emma's eyes are no longer looking up at Regina but at the floor along the ship, taking in every cold sound of the words that are being directed at her.

"I'm only sorry I allowed you to live in this fantasy that was clearly never going to happen. But for what it's worth," Regina's throat gulps down all of her pain. Her voice breaking on its way out again, "I wish you the best of luck in everything that you do." Her eyes shut tight, feeling them sting more than ever. She wipes her tears as she sees Emma's eyes look up. "Goodbye, Emma."

Emma's bottom lip trembles as she watches Regina walking away without so much as looking back. Tears overpower her eyes, and her fist clenches so tight along the ring that her entire hand trembles.

Regina waited to get into her car to cry. Loud sobs feeling the small space until both of her knuckles turned white from squeezing along her steering wheel. Her forehead rested along it so much that she considered banging it against the hard object for ever hurting the woman she loved. Regina knew what this meant. This meant goodbye. This meant that she would never, ever see Emma again.

"Emma?" Ruby shields her eyes from the sun as she walks along the street, spotting Emma walking as if her shoes had just gotten out of a blob of cement. Weighing her down. "Hey," she catches her by an arm to stop her from walking past her. "What's the matter? Emma, what happened?" She stands before Emma, catching sight of her tears. "Emma."

Emma's eyes look into Ruby's and she doesn't need to say anything for Ruby to understand what happened. As soon as Ruby pulls her into a tight embrace, Emma breaks down in a shrieking sob along the brunette's shoulder.

They say a break-up is always hard. That it takes a little piece of your heart until someone else comes along and molds that piece back to what it once was. That was a lie. Because according to Emma, her heart would never be able to be molded back to its normal state. From here on out, she had to learn to move on and will herself not to think. And the only way to do that was to move far away. So she hailed a cab after she finished packing her bags that afternoon just as she had planned.

Just like Regina didn't wait to break her heart, Emma wouldn't wait to leave the shattered pieces behind.

All but Graham and Mary Margaret, gathered to say their goodbyes. Starting with Eugenia who enveloped Emma in a giant hug. "You give them hell up there in New York, you hear me?"

"I will," Emma murmured, her voice hoarse from all the crying she had done earlier. Her head hurt something massive, and her eyes were exhausted, but she needed to see this through.

Eugenia pressed her lips along Emma's both cheeks, cupping her face. "We love you, Emma."

"Alright, Gran," Ruby pulled the older woman off, moving in front of Emma. "Leave some goodbyes for the rest of us, huh?" She looked into Emma's bloodshot eyes. "You take care of yourself, Em."

Emma's head bobbed.

"And don't you be worrying about Graham. I'll drag him along with me when I visit you up in New York." Ruby grinned.

Emma could barely manage a smile, but she gave another nod in response. Her arms wrapped around Ruby's as the brunette pulled her into another hug. "Take care of yourself, Rubes." She murmured.

"Always," Ruby's voice trembled as she buried her nose along Emma's shoulder before letting go. "I'll miss you."

"Me, too." Emma turned to her father next who had tears in his eyes. But they were proud tears, unlike hers. "Dad." She nodded.

David placed a single hand along his daughter's shoulder. "Good luck out there."

"Thanks, dad." Emma's voice broke, her eyes glossing over.

David blinked away tears that quickly escaped him. "Be safe."

"I will."

Father and daughter embrace each other. David's arms squeeze so tight along Emma's body before he lets go. "Emma," he calls to her before she can mount the cab that would take her to the airport. "Promise me one thing?"

Emma nods.

"You go out there, and make a big sound so that I can hear it all the way from here." David's fingers squeeze along her shoulder. "Make me proud, kiddo."

Tears stream down Emma's cheeks as she nods. She embraces David in one last hug before climbing into the cab.

"Where to?" The driver asks.

"Airport, please." Emma murmured, waving goodbye to each member of her family. Doing her best to give them at least a faint smile.

Regina watched from her car as the woman she loved left her life forever. She decided to park a distance away, to avoid being seen, but as fate would have it. As she sobbed over an absence that would never be filled again, Mary Margaret's voice startled her.

"What do you think you're doing here?" Asked Mary Margaret, her arms crossed over her chest as she stood by Regina's vehicle. "Did you come here to make sure she actually left?"

Regina wiped away her tears as she exited her car. "Mary Margaret, I-"

"Why did you do it, Regina? Why Emma? Why not somebody else?"

"I know you hate me. And you have every right to," Regina's bottom lip wobbled. "But believe me, leaving Emma… it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And I will regret it for the rest of my life."

"Hm," Mary Margaret's frown deepened. "Well, good. I hope that you do. And despite you hurting someone very important to me, I don't hate you."

"You don't understand," Regina shakes her head. "None of you will understand." She wipes away at her eyes, sighing deeply. "I'll just go. I'm sorry for bothering you." She pulls open her car door.

Mary Margaret sighs, "Regina, wait."

Regina looks up at her with new tears, her eyes puffy and red. That told Mary Margaret everything she needed to know.

"Come on," the woman nodded. "I'll make you some tea. It looks like you could use it more than me."

Feeling some relief that she would be able to explain everything to someone, Regina willingly followed Mary Margaret over to her apartment complex.