Redemption of hearts

Trouble in paradise!

We stayed there for I don't know how long. My face buried in his chest, his arms around me like they were built just for this—for holding me together when I was falling apart.

It felt safe.
No. It felt like home.

But suddenly, like a blade cutting through fog, a question echoed in my mind.

Why didn't he answer?

"Samuel?"

"Hmm!" He hummed 

I slowly pulled away, even though my entire body screamed to stay. His arms tensed for a second as if he wanted to keep me there, but he let go. Maybe he sensed it too—this shift, this edge between comfort and confrontation.

I looked up at him.

"I need to know something," I said, my voice low. "Back then... when I asked if you trusted me—why didn't you say yes?"

"I'm sorry, Liza... I wasn't in my right mind back then. It wasn't about not trusting you—it never was. My company... it was falling apart. Everything I had built over the years was slipping through my fingers, and I was terrified of losing it all. Maybe that's why I couldn't bring myself to answer you. I know it sounds weak, but I didn't know how to handle any of it. I'm so sorry, Liz..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes fixed on the ground. Was that regret in his voice... or something deeper?

"Then why did you suddenly speak up for me?" I asked, my voice barely hiding the confusion. "What changed all of a sudden?"

He gently cupped my face, his touch trembling slightly. Looking into my eyes, he said softly, "I thought I was losing everything... but it wasn't the company, Liza. It was you. You were what I was losing. And that... that was something I just couldn't handle."

I stared at him, my chest tight with emotions I couldn't name anymore. Anger, longing, love, fear—they all collided inside me like waves crashing into each other.

"You confuse me, Samuel," I whispered, my voice barely above the sound of my own heartbeat.

He froze. "Lizz, I'm sorry," he said immediately, the words tumbling out like he'd been waiting years to say them.

I looked down, biting back the tears that were threatening to spill. "I understand your company is your world. Your priority. I don't want to ruin that for you, Samuel. I never did."

He stepped closer, but I took a step back.

"But you can't stand beside me in this and still be the CEO of Parker & Parkers. You'll be torn between your responsibilities and me. And I can't—I won't—be the reason you're split in half."

"What are you implying, Lizz?" he asked, his voice low, confused, almost afraid.

I met his eyes, the tears now sitting on the edge of my lashes, unblinking.

"I want you to fulfill your duties like you always have—with the same loyalty, the same focus. I'll handle my mess. Alone. And once this project is done... I'll leave this state."

His breath hitched. "Don't—don't you dare say that, Lizz."

But I nodded slowly, even as my own soul screamed against it.

"After everything—after all these years—I finally found you," he said, his voice rising in panic. "And now you want to walk away? Just like that?"

My silence was louder than any answer I could give.

He stepped forward, his voice breaking as he gripped my shoulders, his hands trembling.

"No," he whispered fiercely. "You're not leaving my side. Do you hear me? I lost you once—I'm not losing you again."