Kismet | ENGLOT

Chapter 38

The rain fell in a relentless cascade, drumming against the pavement and drowning out all other sounds. Engfa stood frozen, her fingers gripping the handle of the umbrella tightly as she held it above them, shielding both herself and Charlotte from the worst of the downpour. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her heart pounding so violently that she could feel it reverberating through her entire body. Across from her, Charlotte stood drenched, her hair plastered to her face, rainwater dripping from the hem of her coat. She didn't flinch, didn't move, as though she were rooted to the spot.

Engfa's question hung heavily between them, unanswered, each second of silence stretching unbearably. Her emotions churned, a chaotic storm of frustration, anguish, and disbelief colliding with an overwhelming sense of relief at seeing Charlotte alive, breathing, standing before her.

"Charlotte," Engfa said again, her voice cracking as she fought to steady herself. Her hands trembled, and she tightened her grip on the umbrella as though it were the only thing keeping her grounded. "Say something. Please."

Charlotte's calm facade began to crack. Her lips parted slightly, trembling as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, locked onto Engfa's, silently pleading. A single tear escaped, trailing down her rain-drenched cheek, indistinguishable from the droplets cascading down her face.

"I..." Charlotte finally whispered, her voice hoarse and fragile, almost lost beneath the relentless patter of the rain.

"Why?" Engfa demanded, her voice rising with raw emotion. She took a small step forward, her knuckles white as she clutched the umbrella. Her frustration and heartbreak spilled out unchecked. "Why, Charlotte? Why did you do this? Why didn't you tell me? Do you know what you've done to me? To us?"

Charlotte flinched, her composure slipping entirely. Her body trembled, both from the cold seeping into her soaked frame and the torrent of emotions overtaking her. The rain continued to pour, soaking her to the bone, but she didn't seem to care. Her lips quivered as she struggled to find a response, guilt etched deeply into every line of her face.

Engfa's chest heaved, her breaths uneven as the weight of years of unanswered questions pressed down on her. The betrayal, the pain, the nights she'd spent crying herself to sleep—it all surged forward, threatening to overwhelm her. And yet, beneath it all, there was a flicker of something else: relief. Relief that Charlotte was here, alive, within reach.

And then, without warning, Charlotte moved.

She stepped forward abruptly, her shoes splashing in the puddles beneath her, and closed the distance between them. Engfa's body went rigid as Charlotte's arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The umbrella tilted in her hand, forgotten for a moment, as Charlotte clung to her desperately, her cold, damp body trembling against Engfa's warmth.

The contact sent a jolt through Engfa, her mind blanking as the reality of Charlotte's touch consumed her. The world around them seemed to disappear; the relentless rain, the bustling city—none of it mattered. It was just them.

Charlotte's hands fisted into the fabric of Engfa's coat as she pressed her face against her shoulder. "Engfa..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for everything."

Engfa stood motionless for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Slowly, her trembling arms rose, encircling Charlotte's back. She clutched her tightly, as if afraid to let go, as if letting go might mean losing her all over again. Tears spilled freely down her face, mingling with the rain that dripped from the tilted umbrella in her hand.

"You're here," Engfa whispered, her voice trembling as the tears continued to fall. "You're here."

Charlotte pulled back just slightly, enough to meet Engfa's gaze. Her eyes were red, her lips trembling as she tried to speak, but Engfa didn't give her the chance. She tightened her hold, pulling Charlotte closer once more, burying her face in her shoulder. The warmth of their embrace, even amidst the cold rain, felt like a lifeline.