𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 𓍼

Chapter 9 : Scarred reflections

"I'll leave scars on your heart that will never heal, but they'll remind you I was there, that I owned you once."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

˗ˏˋ Evelia ˎˊ˗

The next day was one of those days where the world felt heavy, as if the sky itself was mourning. The air was crisp, sharp even, and the chill seeped into my skin. It felt like it was going to rain, the kind of rain that didn't just fall, but poured, relentless and unyielding.

I had lingered behind at the university longer than I should have, but I couldn't bring myself to leave just yet. Most people had already cleared out, leaving the campus empty, like a ghost town. I found myself sitting at the spot Rhea and I used to claim as ours, the one shaded by trees, secluded yet with a perfect view of the world around us.

God, I miss her, so fucking much. It wasn't just the silence she left behind, but the way everything felt duller without her. A constant ache lingered in my chest, a hollow reminder that she wasn't coming back. My hand reached for the bench, fingers tracing the weathered wood, every groove and crack a reminder of moments shared...now only memories.

After what felt like an eternity of sitting in that empty space, I knew I couldn't stay any longer. The wind was picking up, and dark clouds were rolling in, making the world seem even more ominous. I cursed under my breath, hoping it wouldn't rain.

As I stood up, a sharp gust of wind hit me, biting against my skin. The leaves were swirling now, caught in the dance of the breeze, their descent slow yet deliberate. The sky had darkened considerably, casting everything in a muted gray, almost as if the world was holding its breath. My surroundings were a mix of shadows and falling leaves, the beauty of it all lost on me in that moment. It was just me and the emptiness.

And then, cutting through the silence, I heard it. A voice-familiar yet distant, like a memory that hadn't fully formed. My heart skipped, and I turned instinctively, my breath catching in my throat.

Eryx...?

He stood there, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his silhouette framed against the swirling backdrop of falling leaves and stormy skies. His expression was neutral, unreadable, as if he were holding something back. His eyes, though... they seemed darker than usual, like they carried the weight of something unsaid. Why was he here? Why now...

He called my name again, "Evelia."

The sound of it, carried by the wind, wrapped around me, both unsettling and comforting at the same time. It wasn't harsh, but it wasn't soft either, it was somewhere in between, like he was trying to gauge my reaction.

I blinked, trying to mask the surprise that threatened to show on my face. My mind raced, searching for the reason he would want to talk to me, especially here. Especially now.

Controlling my features, I replied, my voice almost lost in the wind, "Yes?" The word echoed slightly, caught in the gusts swirling around us, making it feel like more than just a simple question. It felt like a challenge, like the beginning of something unknown.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The wind played between us, whipping through the trees and sending more leaves cascading down. One or two landed between us, their edges crunching underfoot. His gaze locked onto mine, and for a brief second, the world seemed to still. All that remained was the weight of whatever hung between us....unspoken, yet undeniably present. Finally, he broke the silence.

"It's all lies, darling."

The way he said it...soft, almost gentle...made my skin crawl. I hated when he used that tone with me, like he was handling something fragile.