Shattered Bonds

6| Truth Beneath the Surface

Draco swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Faith's gaze. Her words lingered in the air like a challenge he wasn't sure he could rise to. But he knew he had to try. If he let this moment pass, if he let her walk away again, he might never get another chance to make things right.

"You're right," Draco said, his voice quieter than he intended, but the truth behind it resonated deeply. "I didn't care enough to stay faithful, and I'm not going to stand here and give you excuses."

Faith's arms were still crossed tightly across her chest, her eyes flickering with hurt, but there was something else there too—an unspoken desire for him to finally say the things she needed to hear.

"I was scared," Draco continued, his words tumbling out before he could stop them. "Of losing control, of not living up to the expectations everyone had of me. I was expected to be...a Malfoy. And part of me thought that meant playing a role I hated. Pansy was part of that world, part of what I thought I was supposed to be. And that was my mistake."

Faith's expression softened slightly, though her guard remained up. "And what about me, Draco? What was I supposed to be?"

Draco took a step closer to her, his eyes earnest. "You were supposed to be the one thing that wasn't a lie in my life. But I ruined that too. I chose the easy way out instead of fighting for what we had. And I've regretted it ever since."

Faith let out a soft, bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You think admitting that now makes it better? You broke my heart, Draco. And you didn't just break it—you shattered it, in front of everyone. Do you know how humiliating it was to have everyone talking about how you ran off with Pansy Parkinson?"

Draco flinched at the mention of Pansy's name. It was a constant reminder of his biggest failure, the one decision that had cost him more than he ever thought possible.

"I know I can't take it back," Draco said, his voice raw with emotion. "And I don't expect you to forgive me. But I need you to know that I never stopped loving you, Faith. Not for one second."

Faith's eyes glistened with tears, but she quickly blinked them away. She wanted to stay strong, to hold onto her anger, but the weight of his words was breaking down the walls she had built around herself.

"Why now, Draco?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Why are you saying this now, after everything?"

Draco ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. "Because I've been a coward for too long. I've spent so much time pretending I didn't care, pushing you away because it was easier than facing the truth. But I'm done running."

Faith stayed silent for a long moment, her heart waging war with her head. She had spent months trying to forget him, telling herself that she was better off without him. But here he was, standing before her, vulnerable in a way she had never seen him before.

"I don't know if I can trust you again," Faith said finally, her voice trembling. "You hurt me in a way no one else ever has."

Draco nodded, understanding. "I don't expect you to trust me right away. But if you give me the chance, I'll spend the rest of my life proving that I'm not that same person anymore."

Faith looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity—and pain. The pain of a man who had lost something he didn't even realize was precious until it was too late.

"I don't know if I'm ready," she admitted, her voice small.

Draco stepped closer, his hand reaching out but stopping just before it touched hers. "Then we'll go slow. Whatever you need, Faith. Just...don't walk away. Not again."

The silence between them was heavy, but this time, it wasn't filled with anger or regret. It was filled with possibility.

Faith hesitated, glancing down at his hand, so close yet so far from hers. Slowly, she uncrossed her arms and let her fingers brush against his.

"I'll think about it," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her heartbeat.

Draco felt a flicker of hope stir in his chest. It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. It was