A fate for love

Chapter 34: Maybe, never meant to be

Elina stepped outside, ready to voice her thoughts. "Kevin—" she began, but her words caught in her throat as the doorbell rang. The realization struck her: the driver had arrived. "I guess your driver is here," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

Kevin shook his head, an intensity in his gaze. "He can wait. You're more important, tell me whatever you wanted to."

His sincerity pierced through the moment, and Elina felt her heart tug in response. She sighed, the weight of the conversation pressing down on her. "I thought about it, Kevin. Maybe we were never meant to be... I realized you might have your reasons for doing whatever you did. Somewhere, I know you're sorry for it, but, to be honest, I can't—"

Her voice wavered as she continued, "I can't even think of getting back to you after everything that's happened." She tried to mask the true reason behind her words, but it slipped through the cracks. "I'm afraid. That someday, you might leave again without a word. Trust me, I can't endure that again."

Kevin's face fell, and he shook his head immediately, catching her hand in his. "I— I won't. I swear to you, Elina, I will not leave."

She gently placed her hands over his, a soothing gesture. "I've forgiven you, Kevin. Not because I have to, but because, deep down, I realize we couldn't have been together all those years..." Her voice trembled as she looked into his eyes, trying to contain her tears.

Kevin's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting the pain they both felt. "I hope you'll understand, Kevin..."

But he shook his head, tears spilling down his cheeks. Elina felt a rush of empathy, patting his shoulder softly. "Could you give me just one chance, Elina? Just one?" he pleaded, his voice thick with emotion.

Elina gulped, trying to steady herself. "I can't, Kevin. You can ask for anything, but we can never be together."

He wiped his tears, a fierce determination in his eyes. "Will you give me anything I ask?" he pressed, moving closer.

Her heart raced, but she nodded, bracing herself for what was coming. "Anything... but you have to stop trying to get back together with me."

But before she could finish her sentence, Kevin grabbed her face in his hands, pulling her into a kiss, catching her completely off guard. The intensity of the moment overwhelmed her, the kiss igniting a whirlwind of emotions she hadn't prepared for. He held her as though he never wanted to let her go, his tears mingling with hers.

Just as she started to respond, Kevin abruptly pulled away, panting, his eyes wide with urgency. "You can hate me for this. I'm sorry," he said hurriedly, backing toward the door.

"Kevin, wait—" she started, but he had already stepped outside, leaving her standing there, breathless and dazed by what had just transpired.

Elina stood frozen, her mind replaying the kiss, each moment etched into her heart. A mix of confusion, longing, and a bittersweet ache stirred inside her, creating a tempest of emotions she couldn't control. The door closed softly behind him, and Elina was left standing in the echo of what had just happened, her world spiraling around her. Outside, the storm raged on, but within her, the real storm brewed, a battle between hope and fear, love and pain.

Tears streamed down her face, her voice barely a whisper. "Even if I were to forget everything... I can never choose you over Emma."

She closed her eyes and let out a broken sigh. 

"I'm sorry, Kevin."

_______________

It had only been a few days since that intense encounter. True to his word, Kevin had stepped away from her life, no longer trying to win her back. It was what Elina needed, the space to find clarity. Yet, a strange emptiness lingered, a silence she hadn't anticipated.