Silent Ties

after story(shadows of the past3)

Angel’s heart pounded as she stood at the entrance of the old mansion’s yard. The place had a haunting beauty, with overgrown trees casting shadows over the cracked stone path. She could barely breathe, her chest tight with guilt and fear. The words of Adele’s mother echoed in her mind, giving her a sliver of hope. But seeing the silhouette of Adele sitting on a weathered bench at the far end of the yard made that hope waver.

Taking a deep breath, Angel quietly walked closer, her steps soft against the gravel. The evening air was cool, carrying the scent of wet earth and the distant hum of crickets. Adele didn’t turn to look at her, but Angel knew she had sensed her presence.

“Ad...” Angel began, her voice trembling, but it felt like a plea as it left her lips. “I know I made a terrible mistake, and I’m so, so sorry. I was angry, and I didn’t realize what I was saying. I know I hurt you, and I can’t even begin to express how much I regret it.”

Adele remained silent, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her expression unreadable. The distance between them felt like miles, even though Angel was now just a few steps away.

Angel’s heart broke a little more with each second that passed without a response. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she struggled to find the right words—words that could reach Adele and repair the damage she had done.

“Please, Adele,” Angel whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Please don’t leave me. I don’t know what I’d do without you... I love you so much, more than anything. I was scared, and I said things I didn’t mean. But I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

For a moment, the only sound between them was the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. Angel’s tears spilled over, and she took a hesitant step forward, desperate to close the distance. “I need you, Adele. Please... look at me.”

Finally, Adele turned her head slightly, just enough for Angel to see the tears glistening in her eyes. But her face was still hard, etched with the pain of Angel’s earlier words. The sight made Angel’s heart twist in her chest.

“I’ve never doubted your love,” Adele said softly, her voice strained, as if every word was a struggle. “But you... you questioned mine. That hurt more than you know.”

Angel’s breath hitched, and she dropped to her knees beside Adele, reaching out to gently take her hand. The touch was hesitant, as if afraid Adele might pull away. But Adele didn’t move, allowing Angel to hold her hand, though her grip was loose.

“I’m so sorry,” Angel repeated, her tears falling freely now. “I was wrong. I was so wrong, and I hate that I made you feel like that. I hate that I hurt you. I can’t take back what I said, but I promise I will never doubt you again. Please, Adele, I’m begging you... give me a chance to make this right.”

Adele looked down at Angel, her resolve starting to crack. She could see the genuine remorse in Angel’s eyes, the desperation and love that mirrored her own. Slowly, she reached out with her free hand and wiped away a tear from Angel’s cheek, her touch tender.

“You hurt me,” Adele said, her voice still holding a trace of the hurt she felt. “But I can’t stay mad at you, Angel. I love you too much for that.”

Angel’s breath caught in her throat, a mix of relief and lingering fear washing over her. She searched Adele’s eyes, looking for any sign that this was a dream, that she wasn’t really being forgiven.

But then Adele leaned in, closing the gap between them, and pressed her lips to Angel’s in a soft, tender kiss. It was slow, almost hesitant, as if testing the waters after a storm. But it was enough to reassure Angel, to tell her that Adele was still hers.

The kiss deepened, all the tension and hurt between them melting away as their lips moved together, reconnecting in a way that words never could. Angel felt Adele’s hands cup her face, her thumbs brushing away the last of her tears as they kissed. The warmth of Adele’s touch grounded her, made her feel whole again.

When they finally pulled back, breathless and with foreheads resting together, Angel let out a shaky laugh, the weight of the past few days slowly lifting off her shoulders.

“I won’t ever doubt you again,” Angel promised, her voice full of emotion. “I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you if I have to.”

Adele smiled, her own tears still wet on her cheeks. She pressed a kiss to Angel’s forehead, then to her temple, before pulling her into a tight embrace, wrapping her arms around her as if she never wanted to let go.

“I know you won’t,” Adele whispered into Angel’s hair. “And I’ll be here, right beside you, every step of the way.”

They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other in the quiet sanctuary of the mansion’s yard, surrounded by the memories of the past and the promise of a future together. The night air was cool, but their embrace was warm, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Angel leaned back slightly, looking up at Adele with a soft smile. “I love you, Ad. I’ll always love you.”

“I love you too, Angel,” Adele replied, pressing one more kiss to her lips, slow and lingering. “Always.”

As they stood up, hand in hand, ready to face whatever came next, Angel knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, stronger than ever.

And with that thought, they walked out of the mansion’s yard, stepping back into their lives with a renewed sense of love and commitment, ready to build a future together, one day at a time.