Whisper of the Heart

Chapter 15

Wyatt was on top of the world. He had just asked Ava for her hand in marriage. The joy swelled in his heart as he watched Ava's face light up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, Wyatt! Yes!" she exclaimed, her happiness radiating like sunshine. For them, it felt like their joy knew no bounds, but lurking behind Wyatt's smile was a shadow of concern. They had a year to prepare for the wedding. Ava wanted everything to be grand and spectacular.

"Whatever my soon-to-be wife wants, I'll go along with it," Wyatt thought, convinced that a happy life meant a happy wife. He had always seen his parents embody this belief, and it seemed simple enough. Yet, amidst his elation, a memory of Chloe flickered in his mind, as if his thoughts had a will of their own.

"If only nothing had happened between me and Chloe..." he pondered, envisioning a scenario where Chloe would be a bridesmaid, joyfully arranging details alongside them. She would be part of their celebration. However, another nagging thought crossed his mind. Ava was possessive of his attention. She didn't want anyone else to take him away from her; she wanted him all to herself.

"Time to move on," he reminded himself, trying to silence the conflicting emotions. "Things happen for a reason." While he could imagine forgiving Chloe, he knew that wasn't where he was right now. "Maybe once Ava and I are married..." The idea faded as quickly as it came, swallowed by the reality of his feelings.

In the background of his mind, he held onto the hope that he and Chloe could reconcile one day. But for now, it felt almost impossible. Each smile Ava flashed was a reminder that there were sacrifices involved, that his happiness came at a price, a truth that was hard to face.

As he floated on the cloud of joy that came with his engagement, his thoughts spun in a dizzying circle of hope and fear. "Ava, you are my future," he whispered to himself, but with that acknowledgment came a pang of sorrow for Chloe, who would always hold a special place in his heart. The weight of his emotions was a bittersweet reminder that happiness could be intertwined with unresolved pasts. 

The quiet warmth of the Marquez home was perfect for Stella's birthday dinner, with dim lighting casting a golden glow over the table Chloe had set so carefully. Every detail like napkins folded just so, wine glasses polished to a shine, spoke of her effort to make it a night her mom would remember. Chloe poured herself into preparing the meal, recreating her favorites from Italianni's: creamy Italian pasta, a perfectly grilled halibut, fresh vegetable salad, and her special mango float for dessert. The craving was intense, a silent reminder of the secret she wasn't yet ready to tell. The baby she was carrying was hers to treasure alone, at least for now.

As Noah walked in, he seemed to carry his own warmth with him. He had brought a bouquet of lilies for Stella, but also a smaller one for Chloe, along with a bottle of red wine for her dad, Sebastian. Chloe's heart felt a pang, watching him laugh easily with her family. Her father, especially, had taken to Noah, finding in him a shared interest in business that bridged their generational gap. Bakit nga ba hindi niya magawang mahalin si Noah? If only she could rewrite her heart's inclinations—he was, after all, a friend who had been there every time she needed him.

As the meal wound down, they shared quiet laughter and stories, filling the room with a warmth that belied the tension Chloe felt beneath her calm exterior. She sensed Noah's eyes on her, gentle but weighted, as though he carried something unsaid. But her mind wandered to Wyatt, the man who owned her heart despite the storms between them. Noah deserved a friend in her, not the divided love she couldn't fully give.

Later, as the evening air cooled outside, Noah offered to walk Chloe to his car, parked just outside. Beneath the stars, the world felt still, wrapped in a calm she feared would soon break. Noah's gaze softened as he looked at her, and in that moment, Chloe knew, he was about to cross that invisible line. Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke.

"Chloe," he started, his voice low, every word coated with vulnerability. "Matagal ko na itong gustong sabihin... Chloe, mahal kita. And I know, I know, hindi mo siguro maibabalik 'yung nararamdaman ko. But please, hayaan mo lang akong mahalin ka. I just... I want to be here, by your side."

Chloe's heart twisted, torn between gratitude and guilt. She opened her mouth, but he reached out, his fingers pressing gently against her lips, halting her words. His touch was warm, steadying. "Please," he whispered, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Just let me love you, kahit hindi mo kayang ibalik."

A single tear escaped her, tracing a line down her cheek as she looked away, guilt and helplessness flooding her. She wanted to apologize, to explain that her heart had been irreparably claimed by someone else. But Noah didn't need her words. The silence between them carried the weight of their shared understanding, she could only offer him friendship. But he was willing to carry that burden of love, unreturned, as long as he could be close to her.

In the silence, their unspoken truths lingered. The night, much like her heart, seemed suspended between two worlds, neither fully allowing them to stay nor to let go.

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