For the past week, Patrick had been following Angela’s every move, desperately hoping for a chance to talk to her, to make things right. But no matter how many times he tried to approach her, she kept her distance. At work, at the grocery store, even when she visited the local park to sit in quiet solitude, she wouldn’t even glance his way.
It was driving him insane. He had laid everything bare, confessed his mistakes, but Angela was like a ghost, slipping away every time he got close. He didn’t blame her. He knew he’d hurt her, but now the stakes were higher than just their relationship. There were secrets about their families—secrets Angela needed to hear.
On the seventh day of trying and failing to get through to her, Patrick finally found the perfect moment. It was late evening, and the streets were empty. The cool autumn air hung heavy as Angela walked along an empty street, the orange glow of streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement. Patrick’s heart pounded in his chest as he picked up his pace, determined not to let her slip away this time.
“Angela!” he called out.
She stopped, but didn’t turn around. Her shoulders tensed, and Patrick knew she wasn’t happy to see him.
“Please, wait,” Patrick said, stepping in front of her, blocking her path. “I need to talk to you.”
Angela crossed her arms, her eyes cold and distant. “There’s nothing left to say, Patrick. Just leave me alone.”
But Patrick stood firm, his voice pleading. “This isn’t about us. It’s about our parents.”
The mention of their parents made her stiffen, and for a moment, her resolve faltered. Angela’s eyes flickered with curiosity, and then something else—pain. But she quickly hardened again, trying to brush him off.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice edged with frustration. “You’ve already said enough.”
“No,” Patrick insisted, stepping closer, his tone serious. “I haven’t told you everything. Not about my dad. Not about your parents.”
That caught her attention. Angela’s breath hitched, and her guard dropped just a fraction. She looked at him, her expression torn between skepticism and curiosity. “What do you know about my parents?”
Patrick took a deep breath. “It’s not just about me and you, Angela. Our families were tied together long before we even met. My father, Will, he knew your parents.”
Angela’s eyes widened, and the cold distance in her gaze melted into something more vulnerable. She took a hesitant step forward. “My parents? How... how did he know them?”
Patrick could see the emotion swelling in her eyes, and for the first time in a week, he felt like she might actually hear him. He had to tell her everything, no matter how much it hurt.
“Your mother, Lauren, was a witch,” Patrick began softly, watching Angela’s face pale. “She worked with my dad and another hunter named Sky Smith. They were a team, fighting against the same enemies we’re facing now. When your mother got pregnant with you, she left the fight to raise you. But even after seven years of trying to live a normal life... the aliens from her past found her. They killed her, Angela.”
Angela gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. Patrick reached out to her, but she stepped back, shaking her head as though she couldn’t process what he was saying.
“No,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “No, that can’t be true.”
“It is,” Patrick said gently, his voice filled with sorrow. “My dad tried to find Sky after that, but no one could. Sky disappeared after your mom’s death. He left you in the care of your grandmother’s friend, who put you in an orphanage to keep you safe. My dad kept track of you from afar, making sure you were okay. That’s why he trusted you, why he knew you were the only one who could help me.”
Tears streamed down Angela’s face now, her entire body trembling. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why did I have to grow up thinking I was... alone?”
Patrick’s heart broke for her. He could see the pain, the betrayal in her eyes, and it crushed him to know that this truth had been kept from her for so long.
“I don’t know why they didn’t tell you sooner,” Patrick said softly. “But you’re not alone, Angela. You never were. You’re part of this fight—just like I am. And now... now, we need to work together. It’s what our parents wanted.”
Angela sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking as she wiped at her tears. Patrick took a step closer, desperate to comfort her, to be the one she could lean on.
“I know I messed up,” Patrick whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “But this is bigger than just us. Please, Angela... I need you. We need each other.”
Angela’s eyes locked with his, and for a moment, Patrick thought she might finally let her walls down. But then she shook her head, her face hardening with renewed resolve.
“No,” she said, her voice tight. “I can’t. I can’t do this, Patrick. You lied to me. You hurt me. How am I supposed to trust you now? How am I supposed to trust anyone?”
Patrick’s heart sank. “Angela, I’m telling you the truth now. I’m not lying.”
“I don’t care!” she cried, her voice raw with pain. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just about the lies. It’s about everything. You didn’t care about me until it was too late. You didn’t even look for me until you realized you were losing your powers. How am I supposed to believe you care about me, not just what I can do for you?”
Patrick opened his mouth to protest, but Angela held up a hand, stopping him.
“I can’t do this, Patrick,” she said, her voice breaking. “I can’t go through this again. I need to protect myself. I need to stay away from you.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Patrick standing alone in the empty street. He watched her go, his heart shattering with every step she took. No matter how much he wanted to fix things, to make her see that he had changed, Angela had made up her mind.
She was gone.
And this time, Patrick wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to bring her back.
YOU ARE READING
Fated Encounters
FantasyIn a world where humans coexist with supernatural beings, Patrick possesses extraordinary powers, including the ability to control gravity and molecules, and move as fast as lightning. His father, Will, has been kidnapped by their nemesis, and the o...