† 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 † Angels Love

Chapter 32

Star's POV

His words- "Because I love you"- reverberated through my mind, filling the empty spaces that had been full of fear and uncertainty. He loved me. He had come to stop me, to make me stay. A part of me wanted to melt into his embrace, to let his presence calm the storm that raged inside me. But another part, the part that had been fighting so hard for freedom, wasn't ready to let go just yet.

"Christopher," I murmured, pulling back slightly to look up at him. His eyes were wide with worry, his face pale. I could see the desperation in his gaze, the same fear I felt mirrored back at me. "You... you really want this?"

He nodded, his grip tightening around me. "I want you, Star. I don't care about the Codex, about the rules. If you become human, I'll become human too. We can leave all of this behind, together. Start fresh, somewhere no one knows us. Somewhere we can just be ourselves."

I searched his eyes, looking for any sign of doubt, but there was none. His face was open, honest, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was a way out of this. Maybe we could be together without the weight of our world pressing down on us.

"But what about everything we're leaving behind?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Our powers, our immortality... are you really ready to give all of that up?"

He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. "Yes," he said simply. "None of that matters if I can't be with you. If I can't be happy. This place, the rules, they're tearing us apart. I don't want to lose you, Star. I'm willing to give up everything if it means being with you."

Tears stung my eyes, a mix of relief and fear. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. For so long, I'd been scared of falling, of giving in to what I felt for him. But now, standing on the edge of a decision that would change everything, I felt more certain than ever.

"Okay," I whispered, my voice muffled against his shirt.

 Christopher's POV

A wave of relief washed over me, so intense it left me breathless. I held Star closer, her words sinking in, solidifying in my mind. We were really doing this. We were choosing each other, over everything else. The weight I'd been carrying for so long—the fear of losing her, the pressure of the Codex, the endless conflict—lifted, leaving me feeling lighter than I had in ages.

"We'll do this together," I said, my voice steady. "No more running, no more fear. Just us, starting over."

Star nodded against my chest, her arms wrapping around me. I could feel her trembling, the residual fear still lingering, but there was a new strength in her hold, a determination that matched my own. We were making the choice to be together, no matter the cost.

I looked over at her father, who had been standing silently, watching the scene unfold. His eyes were filled with a mix of emotions- relief, sadness, and something that looked like understanding. He stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Star and me.

"If this is truly what you both want," he said quietly, "then I will support you. But know that becoming human is a permanent change. You will lose your immortality, your powers, your connection to this world. You will be vulnerable, like any other human. Are you prepared for that?"

I nodded, glancing down at Star. "We are," I said firmly. "We want to be together, without the rules, without the Codex. We want to live a life that's ours, not dictated by anyone else."

Her father's gaze softened, a sad smile touching his lips. "Very well," he said, turning to the ministers. "Prepare the ritual. We will proceed."

***

I blinked, my vision slowly coming back into focus. The room was the same, but everything felt different. The light from the ministers had faded, leaving the space in its usual dim glow. I looked down at Star, still holding her hand, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, my voice sounding strange in the quiet.

She nodded, a tentative smile spreading across her face. "I think so," she said, her voice shaky. "I feel... different."

I knew what she meant. There was a new sensation in my body, a heaviness, a warmth that wasn't there before. My senses felt sharper, more grounded. I reached up, touching my back where my wings had been, but there was nothing. Just smooth skin. The realization hit me like a wave- I was human. We were human.

Star's father stepped forward, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's done," he said quietly. "You are both human now. You've chosen your own path."

I looked at Star, seeing the same realization dawn in her eyes. We were no longer bound by the Codex, no longer angels. We were free to live our lives as we chose, to be together without fear of breaking the rules.

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "For giving us this chance."

He nodded, his expression bittersweet. "Take care of each other," he said. "The human world is full of challenges, but it is also full of beauty and wonder. I hope you find happiness there."

Star turned to me, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and uncertainty. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

I smiled, squeezing her hand. "We live," I said. "We find our way, together. No more fear, no more rules. Just us."

She smiled back, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace. We had made our choice, and now, we would face whatever came next, side by side. Together, as humans, we would create a life of our own.