Her Best Second Chance

Chapter 39: Midnight Reckoning

Solayne's POV

🌺The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. ~ Nelson Mandela🌺

Please pay attention as this chapter emotions shift quickly. Happy reading💃🏽

~*~

I stand frozen, unsure of how to react, as Nyla sobs into her mother's arms. My heart aches , despite having only just met her. To give them some privacy, I tear my gaze away and decide to follow Arzhel, who had abruptly vanished after the news.

I finally spot him sitting on the floor by the rarely used elevator, his back against the wall. The overhead lights above cast an unsettling glow on his features, highlighting the tension etched on his face. His usual composure has given way to vulnerability, and my heart skips a beat.

Approaching him cautiously, I take a seat beside him. He doesn't acknowledge me, His gaze is fixed on a point ahead, his eyes vacant, lost in thought.  "How do you feel?" I ask gently.

His whiskey colored eyes finally meet mine, his pupils dilated, his face etched with pain. Raw emotion swirls in his eyes, and I see the weight of his sorrow. He tilts his head back, takes a deep breath, but remains silent.

Without waiting for an answer, I pull him into a hug, closing my eyes as I hold him. The silence between us is heavy with unspoken emotions, but in this moment, words are unnecessary.

We sit entwined in silence, my fingers gently combing through his growing curls. I know he's hurting, but I feel helpless, unsure how to ease his pain. He pulls away, and a steady stream of tears flows down his face, shattering my heart.

My thumb instinctively reaches up to wipe away the tears, his eyes never leaving mine. He envelops my hand in his, his lips brushing gentle kisses against my skin.

Then, gazing ahead, he speaks in a hoarse, cracking voice, "Everything good in my life is crumbling before me, and I don't know how to stop it." I scoot closer, resting my head on his shoulder, offering what little comfort I can.

His words hang in the air, heavy with desperation and despair. "Maybe you shouldn't stop it," I whisper. "Just let everything fall apart and fall into place."

He sighs heavily, his chin resting on my head. "You're the only good thing I have left," he confesses, his voice laced with vulnerability.

I smile, looking up at him. "If you're going to disappoint me, please don't at least, not yet. Wait until things get better for me." My eyes scan his face.

"Hey," I say softly, stroking his cheek. "After everything we've been through, I'm not going anywhere. You're mine to keep" I pause, my voice filled with understanding. "I know how your sister's loss pains you, especially since you blame yourself."

"'You think?" he asks, his gaze drifting into the distance.

"Nobody knows what really happened that night," I continue. "I'm not saying you shouldn't feel guilty, but after a three year coma, look at the bright side, at least she's alive. You'll figure out the rest together, and I'll be right by your side, no matter what."

His eyes lock onto mine, and he gently cuffs my cheek, pulling me into a surprise kiss. I melt into the moment, my senses overwhelmed.

Pulling away, my eyes flutter open, still dazed. "Thank you," he whispers, his voice filled with emotion.

I stare at him, shocked, as he stands up and reaches for my hand, pulling me up alongside him. "Let's get Nerrissa home so she can sleep."

Without a word, I follow him, my hand wrapped around his arm.