Legacy of Healing

Chapter 16: Big mistake

A couple of hours later, Anastasia returned to her apartment, her heart still heavy from the earlier confrontation. After leaving, she had wandered aimlessly to the nearby park. Sitting on a bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, she let the tears flow freely, each sob echoing the frustration and confusion swirling inside her.

The cool night air brushed against her skin, but it did little to soothe the emotional storm within. She thought about their argument, about how quickly things had escalated, and how helpless she felt. She missed the easy laughter they shared few days ago, the lightness that had drawn her to him in the first place.

Eventually, the tears slowed, and with them, the chaos in her mind began to settle. She took deep breaths, focusing on the sounds of the park—the rustling leaves, the distant laughter of people enjoying the night. After a while, she felt a bit more composed and decided to head home. When she opened the door, the apartment felt eerily quiet. Elijah was sitting on the couch, his posture rigid, eyes glued to the floor. As soon as she stepped inside, he looked up, relief washing over his face.

He hesitated, guilt flickering across his features. "I was really worried when you didn't come back. I didn't know if something had happened to you or if you were okay. It felt like the world was closing in on me. I kept imagining the worst."

"Baby," he began, his voice softening. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to—"

„Give me a break Elijah, I can't deal with you right now. You were at fault." Anastasia spoke to him anoyed

His brows knitting together. "Where were you for so long? Were you with some guy, since you are acting like this?"

The accusation hit her like a slap. "What? No! I was at the park, just... thinking," she replied, frustration bubbling up inside her.

"Thinking?" His tone sharpened, suspicion creeping into his voice. "About what? Us? Or someone else? It's hard for me not to wonder when you disappear for hours without a word."

"Seriously, Elijah? You think I'd go off with someone else after everything?" She struggled to keep her voice steady, the hurt creeping back in. "I just needed space to breathe."

His gaze hardened, and he stood up, arms crossed defensively. "It's not just that you were gone; it's the silence. It makes me think you're hiding something, and it's hard not to feel insecure when you pull away like that."

"Why can't you just trust me?" she shot back, feeling the anger rise again. "I was upset, and I needed time to calm down! You know that!"

Elijah stepped closer, his brow furrowing. "I'm trying to understand, but it feels like every time we have a fight, you just retreat. You're so focused on your own feelings that you don't consider how your actions affect me."

"Shutting you out?" she echoed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm trying to express how I feel, but every time I do, it turns into an interrogation! It's suffocating!"

Elijah ran a hand through his hair, frustration spilling over. "Look, I don't mean to interrogate you, but when you vanish like that, it raises red flags. I can't help but wonder if there's more going on. It feels like I'm losing you every time you walk out that door."

"More? What more could there be?" She was exasperated, tears threatening to spill again. "I'm right here, trying to figure things out with you!"

"Then why does it feel like you're always a step away?" he asked, his voice rising in frustration. "I don't want to feel like I'm chasing you, but it's hard when you keep shutting me out!"

"Maybe if you'd stop accusing me of things I'm not doing, I wouldn't feel so cornered!" she retorted, her heart racing. "You're making me feel like I can't even take a moment for myself without raising suspicion! It's like you're trying to control me, and I can't stand it!"