Chapter 65
As my mind drifted from the past, I couldn't help but chuckle when I found myself standing near the Ivy Cottage on Church Lane. I didn't know what had come over me, but the moment I stood there, the memories of Aurora and me began to devour me whole.
The way we had built and planned everything for our future together—the future that never came. I shut my eyes and smiled to myself, standing still as the memories washed over me like the rain we once danced beneath.
"Ro!" I giggled, waving at her as the sky opened up, drenching me in seconds. I spread my arms wide, spinning with laughter, tilting my head back to let the rain kiss my skin. "Come on, join me!" I called, jogging toward the porch steps to pull her out.
She groaned but laughed anyway, stepping into the downpour with me, spreading her arms to mimic my movements. We laughed and danced under the rain, our soaked clothes clinging to our skin.
"Sloey," she called, smiling through the drizzle, her voice soft but full of warmth.
Tilting my head, I smiled back at her. "What is it, Ro?" I asked, still turning slowly beneath the rain.
A soft gasp escaped me when she suddenly pulled me closer. I swallowed hard as our eyes met.
"We're going to graduate next year," she began, her gaze holding mine. "And we've been together for years now." Her tone was calm, but I saw her throat tighten as she spoke.
I blinked when she raised her left hand, revealing something in her palm. "Wait," I said, looking from her face to the small silver band she was holding. "Wait—are you proposing?"
She laughed softly and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Not yet, Sloey. But... this is a promise ring. A promise that I'm only ever going to marry you—no matter what, no matter when."
My breath hitched, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt. "Ro..." I murmured, stunned.
"So," she continued, slipping the ring onto my left hand, her fingers trembling slightly. "I want you to keep it. No matter what happens, I'll only ever want to be with you, Sol. I don't want anyone else. Just you."
She cupped my face and pressed a soft kiss to my lips, one that lingered even as the rain poured harder around us.
When I opened my eyes again, the memory dissolved just as quickly as it had drowned me. The present came rushing back—cold, still, and quiet.
I took a slow step toward the Ivy Cottage, my gaze drifting upward to the third floor of the complex—where, once upon a time, Aurora and I had filled every inch of it with dreams, laughter, and love that never truly faded.
I let out a deep sigh as a pang tightened in my chest. I missed her—the person who had taught me what it meant to love and be loved—and yet, she was also the one who had broken and ruined me.
I had missed Aurora for so long. Even though I was married to her, I still missed the way we used to be—the way she made me feel cherished, the way she always stayed close, as if she was afraid to lose me.
"I missed you. I missed us, Ro," I whispered into the cold air as I straightened up and looked ahead—only to see Aurora standing a few meters away from me.
A knot formed in my throat. We locked eyes as she began walking toward me, and before I knew it, I was walking toward her too, drawn to her as if gravity itself demanded it. My vision blurred, but I forced myself not to cry.
Twelve years of pain—and yet, there I was, standing in front of the same woman who had hurt me, and the same woman I knew could heal the very wounds she had caused. I love you, Ro. Don't you still love me? I wanted to ask, but my lips remained sealed.
She was the only one who could fix what she had broken. The only one I wanted. The only one I needed.
"I didn't know you'd be here too," she said, laughing softly as her gaze drifted toward the windows of the Ivy Cottage.
My eyes followed hers before returning to her face.
"Do you even remember all the plans we made in that apartment?
" I asked, my voice tight with emotion. A bitter laugh escaped me.
"Do you remember how we built our own little world, like we were the only two people alive?
We had dreams, Ro—so many dreams. And then twelve years ago, after four years together, after living under one roof, after planning a future.
.." My voice cracked, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"You spat in my face and told me you never loved me.
That you only stayed because I was good in bed. "
A shaky breath left me as tears welled up, spilling freely down my cheeks. I didn't hold them back this time. I wanted her to see it—to see that even after all those years, I was still hurting... and still in love with her, despite the pain.
"All those years, Ro.
I longed to hold you one last time. I prayed you'd come back—that somehow, you'd still be mine.
But when the hope finally died, I decided to hate you.
To loathe you until my last breath." My voice trembled as I tried to catch my breath.
"I married you because I wanted to break you the way you broke me.
To control you. To make you beg. To be the only one you'd ever need—and the only one who could deny you. "
It was true. I had married her for revenge. But somewhere in between, I had realized that a part of me still longed for her. Still searched for the same woman who had broken me—because every part of me still craved her.
"Sol..."
I covered my mouth, trying to stifle my sobs, but the lump in my throat choked me.
"You could've just left me alone, Ro. But why did you do it?
" My voice cracked under the weight of my pain.
"You used me before—wasn't that enough? Did you really have to ruin me like that?
Did you really need to destroy me until there was nothing left? "
My voice rose, raw and trembling.
"Why did you have to crush me so completely that I've carried the pain for twelve goddamn years?
!" I hissed, pointing at her, anger and heartbreak tangled in my chest. "How could you hurt me like that?
And yet—" I broke off, gesturing helplessly toward her, toward everything.
"And yet when that car was burning, you ran into the fire to save me.
Why?! Why would you do that after everything? !"
Tears streamed down my face. My breathing turned ragged, shallow. Aurora took a slow step forward, closing the distance between us. Gently, she wiped away my tears.
"Because from the moment I met you," she murmured, her voice breaking, "I knew I'd found something once in a lifetime.
" She exhaled shakily, her eyes shimmering.
"I was a coward, Sol. A selfish, stupid coward who walked away instead of fighting for us.
I was heartless when I said those things to you.
" Her hands trembled as she took mine. "But when I saw that car in flames, I couldn't stand still.
I couldn't think. All I knew was that I couldn't lose you again. Not like that. Not ever."
I pulled away from her grip, my breathing ragged as I looked at her.
Cupping my own cheeks, I wiped my tears away as I tried to steady myself.
I couldn't. I could no longer act like this, because she had almost sacrificed herself just to save me.
And I could no longer hold back my emotions, let alone let hatred eat me alive.
My gaze stayed fixed on her.
I wanted to try again with her. Maybe this time, everything would work.
"We can't keep doing this," I whispered, not even knowing whether she heard me or not.
"We can't keep reopening the same wounds.
The past is gone. Nothing will change it. "
Aurora looked at me but didn't say a word.
I took a step toward her and cupped her face, wiping away her tears.
If she hurt me again, I would only ever blame myself for giving her my trust. But right now, I didn't want to think about that.
I just wanted to feel her love once again.
"So... let's give each other a shot. Let's start fresh." I gave in. I would let her in again—whether I ended up getting ruined by her once more or not. I would only ever give her that chance; I didn't want anyone else to have it.
Aurora's lips parted as she looked at me and pulled me against her. "Sol..." she mumbled, pressing a kiss to my forehead as she wrapped me protectively in her arms—the same arms that had once been my support.
I shut my eyes and hugged her back, burying my face against her chest and inhaling her calming scent. "I'll do my best," Aurora said, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I swear I'll be the best for you. For us."
My fingers clung to her coat like a lifeline. I didn't want her to let me go, and I didn't want to let her go either. She was mine. Mine alone.
"Thank you, Sol," Aurora murmured, rubbing my back as she pulled me even closer. "I love you. I really do."
I hummed softly, sniffling. She pulled back from the hug, cupped my face, and brushed away my tears. Then she lifted my chin before leaning in and kissing me.
?·???°???°???·?
Stirring on the bed, I stretched my arms only to find an empty space beside me. My brow furrowed as I slowly opened my eyes. The dim light from the night lamp made me realize that I was alone in bed.
With slow movements, I sat up and let my feet touch the floor. A faint groaning sound came from outside. Cautious, I took slow steps toward the doorway. A figure on the couch made me freeze.
"Ro?" I called softly.
"Y-yeah, Sol."
My frown deepened—Aurora's voice sounded off.
I reached for the switch and flicked it on, only to see her doubled over on the couch.
I quickly strode toward her and crouched down.
"Are you alright?" I cupped her face, only to feel how clammy her skin was.
"Good God, you're drenched." Beads of sweat rolled down her temples, and her skin burned with fever.
"Should we head to the ER? Is your hand hurting too much? "
My heart thumped in nervousness. Aurora let out a soft laugh, though I could tell she was trying her best to suppress the pain. "I'm fine," she said, holding my hand as she shut her eyes.
"Ro," I murmured, slowly sitting beside her and guiding her to lean against me. "Are you sure you're okay? Something might be seriously wrong... are you certain it's not broken? We should go to the ER," I insisted, stroking her hair gently.
She only scoffed, her breathing starting to even out as she leaned on me. "Don't worry about me. It's just acting up. Did I scare you?"
I pulled her closer and hummed in response. "I'm more worried than scared," I mumbled, letting out a soft sigh. One hand rested on her abdomen while the other stroked her face.
"You don't have to worry," she said faintly. "I'm fine."
Her grip on me tightened as she shifted, pressing closer to my chest. "You're warm," she whispered.
I swallowed hard, chuckling as I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're just cold. And you're still sweating," I murmured, noticing how damp her clothes were.
"It'll pass in a while," she mumbled, her voice growing sleepy.
"If this doesn't stop in five minutes, I'm dragging you to the ER."
She didn't respond—just chuckled weakly and sighed. Sitting up a little straighter, she turned to face me. "It's just a wound. No need to go to the ER," she insisted, managing a small smile. "Did I disturb your beauty sleep?" she teased, poking my nose.
Rolling my eyes, I let out a groan. "Not exactly. I thought I heard a thief at first. Turns out it was just you." I tugged my robe tighter around me, still eyeing her worriedly.
What would've happened if I hadn't insisted on sleeping here tonight? A knot rose in my throat, making me swallow hard. "How are you feeling now?" I asked softly, brushing my hand over her forehead and wiping away the sheen of sweat.
"I'm fine," she said with a faint grin. "The pain's subsiding. Want to get back to sleep now?"
I studied her face for a moment before nodding. Aurora stood up and offered her hand, which I gladly took as a small laugh escaped me. We walked back to her bedroom hand in hand.
She turned off the light before lying down on the bed, one arm stretched out. "Here. Sleep here," she said softly.
I looked at her for a moment before lying down, resting my head on her arm as I snuggled closer. Her body was still a little cold from the sweat, but I didn't care—I just wanted to stay close to her.
Aurora shifted, pulling me closer as she wrapped her arms around me. "I love you, Sol," she mumbled, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I wrapped my arms around her instead of responding.
My face grew warm, so I buried it against her chest. "When we get back to Monaco, you need to rest first. Focus on your arm—you've been overworking it too much," I said, trying to change the subject.
Resting her chin atop my head, Aurora hummed softly. "I will. But only if you stay home for a while too."
A quiet giggle escaped me before I sighed.
"How can our business run if both owners aren't around?
How about I work from home so I can keep an eye on you?
" I glanced up at her. "Also, stop sleeping in the guest room.
Bring your things back to the master bedroom.
I never agreed to you moving them there. "
She laughed at that. "Alright, alright. I'll move everything back." She pulled me even closer, as if there were still space left between us. "But thank you, Sloey... for giving me another shot."
I snuggled into her warmth, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
"You don't have to thank me," I murmured, licking my lower lip.
"I'm not just doing this for you—I'm doing it for myself too.
" I chuckled softly. And for Dione, I wanted to add, but stopped myself.
She'd know soon enough. "I'm tired of the back-and-forth, of living in the past. I want to move forward. "
She pressed a kiss to the top of my head again. "From now on, let's live a happy married life," she said, making me smile against her chest.
For the first time in so long, I felt calm—no more overthinking, no more loving and hating her in silence. After more than a decade of being alone, I had finally found my way back to her.
"Tomorrow let's go to the Cherwell River," I suggested, tracing lazy circles on her abdomen. "You know, unwind a little. We haven't traveled much since we got married—we just keep fighting."
"Sure," she murmured. "I'd love that."
I smiled to myself and pressed a kiss to her throat before closing my eyes. "I love you," I whispered against her skin. After years of solitude, I was finally with the one person I deeply cherished—and God, it was the best feeling in the world.