Victoria Cilliers stood at the edge of the plane, her heart pounding in rhythm with the propellers. The wind tugged at her jumpsuit, and she glanced over at Xavier Windeck, her skydiving partner. His eyes held a mix of excitement and trepidation, mirroring her own.
"Ready?" Xavier shouted over the roar of the engines.
Victoria nodded, her adrenaline surging. She'd always loved the thrill of freefall, the weightlessness that made her forget everything else. But today was different. Today, she felt the weight of her failing marriage, the doubts about Emile, her husband.
As they leaped into the sky, Victoria's mind raced. Emile had promised her the world—a fairy tale—but it had turned into a nightmare. His lies, his coercive behavior—it all pointed to something darker. She'd ignored the signs, chosen to believe in love. Until that fateful day when her parachutes failed.
The first chute malfunctioned, and Victoria's heart sank. Panic clawed at her throat as she pulled the reserve cord. Nothing. The ground rushed toward her, and she fought to stay calm. Survival instincts kicked in, and she twisted her body, aiming for a safer landing spot.
Xavier was beside her, his eyes wide with shock. "Victoria, hold on!"
She hit the ground hard, pain radiating through her body. But she was alive. The odds of both chutes failing were astronomical. As the paramedics rushed toward her, she glimpsed Xavier's face—a mix of relief and disbelief.
Later, in the hospital, Xavier sat by her bedside. "You're one hell of a survivor," he said, his voice hoarse.
Victoria managed a weak smile. "Guess I am."
They talked late into the night, sharing stories, fears, and dreams. Xavier's warmth enveloped her, and for the first time, she felt truly seen. He didn't promise her the moon, but he listened, understood. And as the days turned into weeks, their bond deepened.
Emile was arrested, charged with attempted murder. Victoria filed for divorce, cutting ties with the man who'd tried to end her life. But Xavier—Xavier was her lifeline. They continued to skydive together, each jump a testament to their survival.
One evening, as they watched the sunset from the edge of a cliff, Xavier took her hand. "Victoria, I've fallen for you," he confessed.
She met his gaze, her heart fluttering. "Me too."
