As The Stars Aligned

Chapter 25

Time seemed to stretch out endlessly, every minute an eternity in the company of her thoughts. Novalie watched as the sun inched its way higher in the sky, casting warm golden hues across her living room. It was a stark contrast to the chill in her heart. Her crimson dress, now neatly folded and set aside, seemed to radiate with its own sadness, a reminder of the twilight that had fallen upon her love story.

The previous night's events played out in her mind like a haunting movie, each scene etched vividly in her memory. The sound of Damien's fading footsteps in the empty corridor still echoed in her ears, and the rooftop, once aglow with romance, now felt like a distant memory, lost to the bittersweet echoes of their love. She sat there, alone amidst the dimly lit room, the fairy lights casting a soft, ethereal glow, her crimson dress now a stark contrast to the fading twilight of their love story.

As if in response to her spiraling thoughts, a sudden, persistent ring broke through the suffocating silence, making Novalie's heart leap with a glimmer of hope. The doorbell's sound cut through the weight of her emotions, and she rushed to the door, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she swung it open, there stood Sophia, her dearest friend, her eyes filled with empathy and concern.

No words were exchanged as they embraced tightly. The warmth and comfort of Sophia's presence enveloped Novalie, offering solace that transcended words. They understood each other, and in that moment, that was all that mattered.

Novalie led Sophia to the living room, where they settled on the plush couch. Her tears began to flow once more, and she buried her face in her hands, the pain of the previous night overwhelming her. Sophia offered a soothing hand on her back, providing a reassuring presence in a moment of crushing grief.

With a heavy heart and trembling voice, Novalie finally spoke, her words filled with raw emotion. "Soph, I don't know how this happened," she began, her voice quivering as tears welled up once more, the memories of the previous night flooding back. Her words were a desperate attempt to make sense of the profound heartache that had taken hold.

"Last night, Damien... he was proposing to me. It was so beautiful, Soph, the rooftop, the fairy lights, the roses, everything. And he looked at me with so much love in his eyes, he wanted to make me his wife, he wanted a future with me." The memory was etched vividly in her mind, the intensity of that moment still fresh in her heart.

Sophia's eyes were filled with understanding, urging Novalie to continue, her presence a pillar of strength in the storm of emotions.

Novalie's voice wavered as she went on, "And I told him that we should just wait, that it wasn't the right time for us to get married. I wanted to make sure our love was unshakeable and pure, you know? I didn't want to rush into something that could change our lives forever, but... but he left, Soph. He walked away, and now he's gone." Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks, the weight of the exchange still pressing upon her.

Sophia gently held her friend's hand, her eyes reflecting compassion and understanding. "Novalie, you were trying to protect the love you two share," she began, her voice filled with empathy. "Love is complex, and it's normal to want to make sure everything is right. You couldn't have predicted this outcome. Love isn't about perfect timing; it's about being there for each other through the good and the bad."

Novalie's tear-filled eyes met Sophia's reassuring gaze, and she continued, "Damien loved you enough to propose, and that's a testament to the depth of his feelings for you. He might need some time to understand your perspective, to see why you had those doubts."

Novalie sighed, her voice trembling as she replied, "I know, Soph. I just wish... I wish he could have stayed. If he loved me enough to propose, then he could've loved me enough to stay, right?"