SCARRED HEARTS

CHAPTER 19: NEW BEGINNINGS

The warmth of Sebastian's embrace anchored Lila in a way she didn't expect. The steady beat of his heart beneath her ear was a sound she could drown in, soothing the jagged edges of her broken heart. He didn't say a word, just held her, his strong arms around her as though offering her a silent promise that she wouldn't have to face this alone.

For a long time, Lila just stood there, her face buried against his chest, letting the tears she had refused to shed flow freely. She didn't know how to process everything—the letter, her mother, the pain that had been clawing at her from the inside for years. She had spent so long keeping everything bottled up, not allowing anyone close enough to see her scars, not even herself.

But here, in Sebastian's arms, everything felt different. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe.

Finally, when the tears began to subside, Lila pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. She glanced up at Sebastian, who had kept his hand gently on her back, waiting for her to pull away when she was ready. His expression was soft, understanding—he didn't push her, didn't demand answers.

"How did you know?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Sebastian gave a small smile, his thumb brushing against her cheek, brushing away a stray tear. "I didn't know exactly, Lila," he said quietly. "But I know what it's like to carry a weight. I know what it's like to feel like you're drowning in it. I just wanted to be here for you. No matter what you decide to do with the letter or anything else."

Lila closed her eyes for a moment, taking in his words. His unwavering patience was something she'd never been able to understand fully before. She had always believed that if she let anyone close, they'd eventually see how broken she was. They'd leave, or worse, they'd try to fix her—something no one could do. But Sebastian... he was different. He wasn't trying to fix her, just to be there.

The vulnerability in her chest loosened just a fraction, and for the first time, she let herself wonder what it might be like to lean into this. To let go of the walls she'd built and let him in.

She let out a shaky breath, her hands finding the edges of his shirt. "I don't know how to forgive her, Sebastian," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know if I even want to. But I can't keep carrying this anger. This... pain. It's been with me for so long."

"You don't have to figure it out all at once," Sebastian said softly, his voice steady. "Forgiveness isn't something that happens overnight. It's not a switch you can flip. It's a process. And you don't have to do it for anyone but yourself. If you want to let go of that pain, you'll know when you're ready."

Lila nodded slowly, her gaze lowering as the weight of his words sank in. She wasn't sure when she would be ready, or if she ever would be. But for the first time, the thought of letting go didn't seem as impossible.

Sebastian shifted, his hand gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark, the intensity of them searching hers with such raw emotion that Lila felt like he could see into the very core of her.

"You're not alone in this, Lila," he said quietly. "I'm not going anywhere."

The sincerity in his words made her heart race. She wanted to say something, anything, but for some reason, the words didn't come. Instead, all she could do was step closer to him, closing the space between them. The air between them was thick, charged with an energy that both terrified and excited her.

Sebastian seemed to sense her uncertainty, his hand gently brushing a lock of hair from her face. His thumb traced the curve of her jaw, slowly, tenderly, as though asking for permission.

Lila's breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him. She was acutely aware of the heat building between them, the tension that had been simmering ever since the night they first met. It was undeniable now, undeniable that something was shifting, something was changing between them.

Slowly, carefully, Sebastian leaned in, his face inches from hers. Lila froze, unsure of what to do next. But when his lips brushed gently against her forehead, it wasn't what she had expected—it was better. More intimate, more vulnerable. He was offering her a space to breathe, to decide without pushing her.

Lila closed her eyes, leaning into him, her lips grazing his for the briefest moment. The contact was light, soft, but it sent a shiver down her spine. When she pulled back, their eyes met, and everything between them seemed to come into sharp focus.

She felt it. The connection. The pull.

Without thinking, Lila reached up, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers. Sebastian's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the soft line of her jaw. The look in his eyes deepened, the desire clear, but there was something else there too—something softer, more tender.

"I don't know if I'm ready for all of this," Lila murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "For you, for what this could mean. But... I don't want to walk away anymore."

Sebastian's lips curved into a small, understanding smile. "You don't have to have all the answers. I'm here, no matter what. And when you're ready, we'll figure it out together."

Lila closed her eyes as his words sank in, letting the heat of his gaze melt the walls she had built for so long. She reached up, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced his jaw. And in that moment, she knew. She wasn't afraid anymore.

She leaned forward, closing the distance between them, her lips brushing against his once more. This time, there was no hesitation, no uncertainty. Her hands found their way to his neck, pulling him closer as their kiss deepened, slow and deliberate.

Sebastian's hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her against him, the warmth of his body grounding her. His lips were soft, urgent, as if he were trying to pour every unspoken word into the kiss. She let him. Let him show her everything she had been afraid to admit, everything she had been afraid to feel. She let go.

The kiss wasn't rushed. It wasn't about the heat or the pressure, but about the tender space they were occupying together. Lila felt herself unraveling with each slow, intoxicating kiss, each breath shared between them. She couldn't remember the last time someone had held her like this—like she mattered, like she was worth waiting for.

When they finally pulled back, breathless and aching, Lila couldn't find the words to describe the whirlwind inside her. She looked up at Sebastian, whose expression was a mixture of satisfaction and something deeper—something raw.

"I... I don't know what comes next," she said, her voice shaky but filled with resolve. "But I'm willing to find out with you."

Sebastian's eyes softened, his thumb brushing over her lips. "Then we'll take it one step at a time. Together."

Lila's heart swelled, and she smiled, finally allowing herself to feel the peace she had long been searching for.