Title: Falling Through Shadows

Chapter 11: A Twist of Fate

Elara's POV

The cool morning breeze grazed my face as I stood at the gate of the church, letting the fresh air ground me. I couldn't see the world around me anymore, but I'd come to appreciate the sensations that replaced sight—the warmth of sunlight on my skin, the scent of flowers blooming nearby, and the faint echo of birds singing somewhere in the distance.

Life had changed so much since I'd left Liam. I'd learned how to navigate without my eyes, finding strength in the sounds and textures around me. But in quiet moments like these, his memory crept in uninvited. A faint, painful ache tugged at my heart, bringing back the warmth of his laughter, the rough kindness of his voice, the way he made me feel like I mattered.

Would he even remember me now?

I didn't need to hold on to those memories, but somehow, they refused to fade. Maybe that was the hardest part of it all. I had given up my sight for him, hoping he could find happiness in a future that I couldn't be part of. My fingers absentmindedly brushed against the gate, feeling its familiar grooves and lines, grounding myself against the ache that pulsed quietly inside.

Suddenly, I tensed. I felt it—a presence nearby. It was subtle, but there was a shift in the air, like someone was standing just a few steps away, watching me. Goosebumps rose along my arms, and I tried to brush it off as paranoia. I was about to turn and head back when the sensation grew stronger, making my heart quicken with a strange mix of anticipation and fear.

Was I just being paranoid? But no, something felt off—something was different about today. I barely had time to make sense of it before a sharp pain spread through my head, and the world went dark as I lost consciousness.

Liam's POV

"Are you sure you're going to go through with this, son?" My mom's voice sounded hesitant, even through the crackling line. She wasn't thrilled with my plan—she never was when it came to matters of the heart, especially ones I couldn't seem to handle right.

"Yes, Mom," I replied, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. I needed her to understand, even if I barely understood it myself. "Trust me. I know Elara won't come with me on her own. She's too proud, too independent." I gritted my teeth, swallowing the guilt that threatened to choke me. I'd lost her once, and I knew I couldn't lose her again.

"Alright, Liam. Just... think about what you're doing." She sighed, a sound that held all the worry and love she had for me.

The phone clicked as she hung up, and I turned to my driver, nodding. "Let's go."

When we reached the church, I felt my nerves prickling under my skin. The guilt gnawed at me, making every step feel heavier than the last. But then I saw her, standing by the gate, her head turned slightly as though she could sense me. She couldn't see me, I knew that, but somehow it felt like she could feel me there, standing a few feet away.

As I approached, I steeled myself, forcing down the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. My eyes traced over her face, her form; she seemed so much smaller, so much more fragile than I remembered. And that vulnerability stirred something protective within me, making me even more determined.

"Elara," I murmured softly, lifting her carefully into my arms. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. My heart squeezed as I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, whispering, "I'm sorry, Elara. I just... I need you to come back with me."

As we drove away, I couldn't shake the sense of wrongness that clouded my thoughts. But I clung to the hope that one day, she would forgive me. That maybe, we could start over. And this time, I would make things right.