"But if I let you go, I will never know. What my life would be holding you close to me. Will I ever see you smiling back at me? How will I know if I let you go?" IF I LET YOU GO - Westlife
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lando's POV
My apartment door clicked shut with a soft thud, the noise reverberating through the hollow silence that now filled my space. I leaned against it, closing my eyes as I took in a steadying breath. The clamor of the city outside slipped away, leaving me ensnared in the quiet aftermath of my confrontation with Rachel.
With each heartbeat, Samantha's image danced behind my eyelids—her long, wavy brown hair framing her face like cascading shadows playing upon the earth, her green eyes vibrant and full of life. A pang of longing twisted in my chest, an ache so profound it bordered on physical pain. I knew what I needed to do.
"Come on, Lando," I murmured to myself, pushing off the door. My movements were mechanical as he strode across the room, retrieving my phone from the pocket of my jeans.
I hesitated momentarily, thumb hovering over the screen—aware of the delicate thread that still connected me to Samantha despite the tangle of misunderstandings and Stephan's presence in her life.
"Damn it, I've got to try," I whispered, conviction steeling my resolve.
I tapped open the messaging app, my fingers trembling slightly as they hovered above the virtual keyboard. This was it; I would lay bare my soul, peel back the layers of charm and charisma, and reveal the raw truth beneath.
"Hey Sam," I started, then backspaced. Too casual. I tried again.
"Samantha," I typed, feeling the weight of her name.
"I need you to know something. What happened today made me see things clearer than ever." My thumb paused, a bead of sweat trailing down my temple.
"I've made mistakes, more than I can count. But losing you... that's been the hardest to live with." Each word felt like a confession, a plea for absolution I wasn't sure I deserved.
"Seeing you with Stephan, it's tough. But I get why you're with someone like him. He's everything I failed to be. I'm not asking you to forgive me or forget what's happened. I just want you to know that every laugh we shared and dream we dreamed of was real for me. And I'm sorry. Truly sorry for any pain I've caused you."
I hit send before I could second-guess myself before fear could claw its way into my thoughts and choke the honesty out of my message.
It was out there, floating in the digital ether—a testament to his love and regret. A silent beacon calling to her heart, hoping against hope that she might still harbor a spark for me amidst the ruin of our past.
"Please, Samantha," I murmured, setting the phone down on the coffee table. My heart was a drumbeat in my ears, every tick of the clock stretching into eternity as I waited for a sign indicating that my words had reached her.
And in that waiting, in the quiet of his apartment, I found myself vulnerable—a man stripped of his armor, standing at the precipice of a future that only Samantha Miller could shape.
Samantha's POV
My fingers trembled slightly as I held the glowing screen of my phone, Lando's message unraveling before me like a delicate thread of hope and remorse. Confusion etched lines across my forehead, my eyes reflecting a storm of emotions that danced between the words on display. I read and re-read the message, each word.
YOU ARE READING
If You Leave Me
FanfictionSamantha Miller was dating Lando Norris, an F1 driver. Their relationship seemed perfect in every way. They shared laughter, dreams, and a love that was electrifying. But life has a way of throwing unexpected curves, and Samantha's world came crashi...