THE TEMPTRESS

||Redemption||

I held the bouquet of flowers close, their vibrant colors captivating my attention. As I brought them to my nose, the sweet fragrance enveloped me, calming my senses and creating a warm embrace around my heart. When I opened my eyes, there he was, Kaden, standing with admiration in his eyes.

Turning to face him, I found a smile stretching across his face.

"What?" I asked while raising my brows.

His grin widened. "I really like your new hair color. Blonde suits you better."

I chuckled, cocking my head to the side, "This is my real hair color."

A surprised expression crossed Kaden's face, making me grin. Walking past him into the flower shop, the girl at the counter greeted me with a smile.

As I handed her my card, I noticed Kaden leaning against the counter, still puzzled about my hair.

"You're kidding me, right?" He asked.

I frowned while looking at him.

"What? My hair? Why would I kid about that?"

He smirked. "So you're really blonde?"

I nodded turning to accept the bouquet, receipt, card, and thanked the girl before leaving the shop.

"Then the whole brunette thing was just a phase or something?" He continued.

I glanced at him while chuckling.

"Not a phase. It was part of the whole plan of blending in."

The moment those words left my mouth, the weight of my past actions immediately pressed on me as memories of his father resurfaced.

Kaden opened the glass doors, and we stepped out. He smiled, reaching for my hand.

"Well, believe it or not, I've always liked blonde girls. They're actually my type."

I raised my brows in confusion.

"But I had dark hair when we first met. Why didn't you reject me then?"

Laughing, he stepped closer, the warmth radiating from him made my heart jumpy in excitement.

"Love at first sight, maybe? Probably my instincts giving me the green signal to like you immediately because you were secretly blonde."

I laughed, deeming it ridiculous. Kaden leaned in, kissing me passionately.

We strolled to our car, ready to revisit the place where we found each other just three days ago, a journey back to the people I had visited yesterday.

It was time to officially introduce someone to my parents.

OoO

Walking hand in hand with Kaden, the weight of the bouquet cradled in my free hand was oddly comforting.

Nervous energy danced through me as we entered the cemetery yard. The thought of introducing Kaden as my boyfriend to my parents for the first time left me apprehensive.

It felt strange, contemplating how to explain that Kaden was the son of the man who once shattered our family.

I decided that was a story for another time, another visit. Today was about us moving forward. After that day at the cemetery, Kaden took me home, surprising everyone with my return.

Lucy was ecstatic, Natalie less so, AJ slowly warming up, and Ben, well, he was almost always happy with whatever life threw at us.

Taking the next step meant bringing Kaden here, showing him where my parents rested. I'd shared the truth about the other mausoleums, and he was relieved.

Standing in front of my parents' mausoleums, I gently placed the bouquet atop the cold stone. Crouching down, I touched the surface, feeling a mix of nostalgia and warmth.

"Hi Mom, hi Dad. I brought someone with me," I whispered, glancing up at Kaden, who stood with a hint of uncertainty.

As Kaden joined me, I smiled up at him, a silent reassurance passing between us. Slowly rising, I locked my arm around his, surveying the mausoleums.

"Kaden, meet my parents, and that's my older brother Marco."

I felt Kaden's body relax as he placed his hand on top of mine, offering a genuine "Hi." It warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile.

Spending a few quiet moments by my parents' grave, we finally decided to leave. The calm I felt was unexpected, a serenity settling within me.

Being back here with Kaden was surprisingly easy, and the weight that had accompanied me for years seemed to lift.

Exiting the cemetery, I marveled at how this journey had unfolded. It wasn't just about revisiting the past; it was about forging a new future with Kaden. The ease with which we faced my history made me hopeful for what lay ahead.

Closing the chapter on the past, I embraced the uncertainty of the future with Kaden by my side.

It was a poignant exit, a symbolic closure that marked the beginning of our shared journey forward.

~THE END~