Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 55

The next morning, Engfa decided to go to Samui to search for Charlotte based on her father's directions. She understood that while their love still existed, the wounds she had caused were not easy to heal. Today, Engfa had found where Charlotte was, and her heart was racing with anticipation.

Engfa stood in front of a small beachside café where Charlotte often went when she wanted some quiet time. She took a deep breath, feeling nervous like a child standing in front of the class for the first time. Her heart pounded, and sweet yet bitter memories of Charlotte flashed before her eyes like a slow-motion film. Finally, she decided to open the door and step inside.

Inside the café, Charlotte was sitting alone, her gaze fixed on the vast sea outside. Engfa sensed the fragility in Charlotte's every move, as if she were bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. Engfa slowly approached the table, her voice soft:

"Char... Charlotte."

Charlotte turned around, her eyes momentarily surprised but quickly turning cold:

"What are you doing here?"

Engfa felt her heart constrict, but she couldn't back down:

"I came to apologize. I know I've hurt you deeply, and I can't overlook those mistakes. I just want you to know that... I truly regret it."

Charlotte fell silent, looking down, her hands tightly gripping her coffee cup, as if trying to hold herself together. A heavy silence stretched between them, only broken by the sound of the waves outside. Engfa felt a surge of fear as she received no response from Charlotte.

"Do you remember the days we used to stroll along the beach? The golden afternoons, our laughter echoing in the air?" Engfa continued, trying to recall their beautiful memories. "You once said that being in love means overcoming every difficulty together. Yet now... you're away from me."

Charlotte looked up, her clear eyes holding deep pain:

"Engfa, loving someone doesn't mean enduring the hurt. I once thought we could overcome everything, but what you said... those harsh words felt like a slap in the face. Do you have any idea how much I've suffered?"

Charlotte turned away, her gaze lost in the sea, her voice laden with the pain Engfa could never forget:

"Engfa, if you truly love me, then why would you do that? You said you loved me, yet you spread harsh words that made me feel unworthy."

Engfa looked at Charlotte, her heart breaking. Charlotte's words were like sharp knives stabbing her, making it hard for her to face herself. She took a deep breath, her voice choked:

"I... I really love you, Charlotte. I was wrong. I can't justify my actions. But you mean everything to me. I said those words in a moment of anger and misunderstanding, letting my doubts overwhelm me."

Charlotte looked straight into Engfa's eyes, her gaze seeming to light up with tears. Her voice was gentle yet full of pain:

"If you love me that much, then why doubt me? Why think I would betray you? Do you know that every word you said felt like a knife cutting into my heart?"

Engfa bowed her head, unable to bear the hurt in Charlotte's eyes. She spoke, her voice trembling:

"I was foolish, Charlotte. I let uncertainties and jealousy cloud my judgment. But I swear, my heart has never stopped loving you. Every day, every moment, I feel empty without you by my side."

Charlotte remained silent, her eyes glistening, her lips pressed tightly as if to hold back tears. After a moment, she softly asked, her voice wavering:

"Do you know how much it hurt me to be away from you? Have you ever thought about how I felt when I had to leave the person I love the most?"

Engfa felt her heart shatter. She could never forget the disappointment and hurt in Charlotte's eyes:

"I know, and I have no excuses for my actions. I was wrong, and all I want now is for you to know that... I truly regret it. Since you left, I've realized that I lost the most precious thing in my life. I can't live without you by my side."

Charlotte nodded, but remained silent. Her eyes reflected the pain and hurt that Engfa had caused. Charlotte smiled faintly, her eyes shining with sadness:

"So how much do you love me, Engfa? Is your love strong enough to overcome fears and doubts? Or when things get tough, will you push me away again?"

Engfa took Charlotte's hand, her gaze full of determination:

"You are everything to me, Charlotte. I will never make that mistake again. I will show you that my love is sincere, that I will stand by you, no matter what happens."

Charlotte seemed momentarily swayed, her eyes shimmering as she struggled between past hurts and the love she still felt for Engfa. Her voice trembled:

"I loved you wholeheartedly, but now... how can I forget what you said? Even if I still love you, I can't accept a relationship that might hurt me. I'm afraid... afraid that if I love you again, I'll get hurt once more."

Engfa felt a lump in her throat. She grasped Charlotte's hand:

"I understand. I don't expect you to forget right away what I've done. But I beg you, give me a chance to prove that I'll do everything for you, so you won't have to suffer again. I will show you that my love is genuine, that I'm ready to accept and correct all my mistakes."

Charlotte gently pulled her hand away, as if trying to distance herself from the pain:

"There was a time when I dreamed of a future with you, but now... I feel scared. Scared that everything will repeat itself. I need time to heal, to find myself before I can love you again."

Charlotte remained silent for a long moment, her gaze seemingly lost in another world. Then she looked into Engfa's eyes, her voice filled with emotion yet still hesitant:

"Can you promise me that you will never doubt me again? That you will trust me and not let malicious rumors affect us?"

Engfa nodded, her eyes shining with a determined gaze:

"I promise, Charlotte. I will trust you, more than anything. I have learned from my mistakes, and I know that nothing is more important than love and trust between us."

Charlotte looked at Engfa for a long time, her eyes holding a conflict. She still loved Engfa very much, but the wounds had not completely faded. Finally, Charlotte softly spoke, her voice almost a whisper:

"I need time, Engfa. I need time to heal the wounds in my heart. Only when I truly feel safe with you can I come back."

Engfa bowed her head, sadness evident on her face, but she understood that she had to respect Charlotte's feelings:

"I will respect your decision. I will wait, Charlotte. I am ready to wait as long as it takes. Just give me a glimmer of hope, and I will never give up."

Charlotte looked at Engfa with eyes full of emotion but also pain. She whispered:

"If you truly love me, then let me have time. I need time to recover, to find myself again before I can return to you."

"I will think about this. But don't expect too much, Engfa. I need to be absolutely sure before I come back to you."

Engfa nodded slowly, realizing that she couldn't rush Charlotte to forgive her. She looked at Charlotte one last time, her heart heavy but also full of determination. She stepped out of the café, a feeling of emptiness enveloping her, but at least she had expressed what she wanted. Engfa knew that the road ahead would be long, but she was ready to face any difficulty to win back the love she had lost.

---

"Not forgiving is fair; if I were you, I would be afraid I couldn't forgive myself."

"Sometimes, physical pain is not as hurtful as emotional pain."

Hy.