It was always you

Blast from past

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**Selena's POV**

Growing up, I learned early on where I stood in my family—somewhere behind my father's second child, Camilla, who always came first. I was a constant reminder of what my mother couldn't bear: the daughter of the woman who died giving birth to Camilla. And so, my mother tried to make up for it by doting on Camilla, making her feel she hadn’t lost her own. But that’s a story for another day.

Whenever I felt lonely, I spoke to God. My value education teacher had said, "If you expect from God alone, He’ll never let you down." I clung to that. And it worked. People often asked why I was always smiling. I would just smile wider and say, "Because I remember God in my sadness and in my happiness." They'd laugh and tell me that's what parents are for, not God. But what did they know? To me, God was more than any parent could ever be.

As I made my way to my room, I whispered, "I know You’ll handle everything, God." I walked in to find Diana waiting for me, her face full of sympathy. I forced a tight smile. What good would it do to dwell on the fact that my mother had just abandoned me?

"I told you, Diana," I said, attempting cheerfulness, which she was used to from me.

Diana wasn’t fooled. “How long are you going to keep hiding how you feel, Selena? It’s just us here. You can cry your heart out.”

I shot her a look, half-incredulous, half-amused. She was right, but I wasn't the type to cry in front of anyone—except maybe God in the darkness of night.

"My sixth sense is never wrong," Diana continued, rolling her eyes and then pulling me into a warm hug. For a moment, I felt safe. But there was something off in the scent of her perfume—something more masculine.

“Miles Miller hugged you?” I asked, pulling back with a grin. She instantly blushed, ending our hug. My eyes darted to a diamond ring on her finger that hadn’t been there before. “Oh my God, he proposed?” Her face turned a shade redder, confirming it. “Let’s celebrate, Diana!”

She gave me an incredulous look. “Really, after everything you’ve been through today?”

"Life’s too short to mourn," I replied. "And after I’m gone, I don’t want you to be sad.”

Diana rolled her eyes. “Maybe I’ll take that advice. If I don’t, you’d probably come back to teach me how to dance on your funeral.”

"Knowing you, you’d throw my parents or some poor soul out for crying too much," I laughed. "But I don't think anyone will cry much at my funeral."

She glanced at me sharply and hugged me again, her grip tighter this time. I felt her shoulders shake as she began to cry softly. "Why are you crying, Diana?" I asked gently.

Through her tears, she whispered, “I... I pray God calls me to Him before He calls you.” I couldn’t help but smile. "I can’t imagine my life without you, Selena.”

I didn’t need to say it back. She knew. Diana was the only friend I had.

“Sorry if I spoiled your mood," I sighed. "But death is unpredictable, and we can’t stop it. If one of us goes before the other, we’ll learn to live without each other.”

Diana said nothing. I knew I’d hurt her. I had made her too comfortable with my presence, and now I had to pull back, or she’d struggle more when the time came.

"Let’s go," she whispered, heading to the door.

"Like this?" I said, still in my wedding gown. She laughed.

“Change out of that monstrosity, and then we’re getting out of this awful hotel,” she said, a playful smirk on her face.

I laughed. Only Diana would call my father's lavish hotel “awful.” This place would leave anyone else in awe, but not us.

“Sorry, Uncle Bradley,” she called with a grin as she left.

I sighed and slipped out of the heavy, expensive dress. I wouldn’t keep it. It peeled off easily, replaced by a simple black sundress. I tied my hair into a bun. The makeup was still on; it looked good, even if it felt heavy. I considered packing up the new clothes into bags for the "new bride," but then decided against it. Camilla would probably be furious at me, but her dreams had crumbled with that kidnapper anyway.

As I made my way to Diana's room, I bumped into someone, my clumsy self nearly falling. Strong hands caught me. When I looked up, I felt the world flip. Seven years of my life played back like a broken record.

"You're in my arms again," he said, his voice warm but confident. The sea-green eyes that once made my heart flutter stared back at me. That scent, masculine and familiar, sent butterflies through my stomach.

"I told you," Emerson Black murmured, his voice now sharper, more assertive, "what Emerson Black desires always remains his. No one has the power to take it away." His gaze was intense, and I blinked, half-hoping this was some strange dream. His face was more chiseled than I remembered, more man than boy.

**Emerson's POV**

I can't believe she’s here, right in my arms. She stared at me, and I almost laughed—thinking she’d be like every other girl who falls for my looks and leaps into my embrace. But Selena... she's never been like anyone else.

She regained her composure, masking her shock. "My apologies, handsome stranger. I didn’t recognize you," she said smoothly. Her eyes darted away, and she bit her cheeks—a telltale sign she was lying. "Will you please let me go?" She stepped back, nodding curtly. "Thanks for saving me. See you around." She walked off, and I watched her go, fighting the urge to grab her hand again.

"She kept her word," I muttered, a grin spreading across my face. I remembered that promise—made one night while stargazing on the grass. She’d told me if I ever broke up with her, she’d pretend she never knew me and call me a "handsome stranger." She remembered. Just like I did.

"Who was that beauty in your arms, Emerson?" My friend Mike's voice broke through my thoughts.

"None of your business," I snapped, feeling a surge of jealousy when he looked in the direction she had gone.

Mike smirked. "Oh, something’s burning. Is it you?" he teased. "Come on, man. I’m married. Got my own beautiful wife and kids.” He showed off his wedding band. “Just curious. It's rare to see anyone in your arms like that."

He was right. I hadn’t touched or loved anyone since Selena. I’d do whatever it took to get her back. How could she marry someone else after all we’d been through?

I’d find a way. I’d remind her of everything. Every promise. Every dream. Because what Emerson Black wants, he keeps.

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