Chapter 33 up
Clark slowly opened his eyes. Morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, illuminating his pale face and weak body. He took a deep breath, feeling his body still tremble from the harrowing nights he had endured. Yet, this time, something felt different.
He looked at Nyla, who was preparing a glass of water on the bedside table. Her hands trembled slightly, but her gaze remained steady—attentive and careful. She didn’t say a word, only watched Clark with warm, reassuring eyes.
Clark swallowed hard and slowly sat up on the bed. “Nyla…” his voice was hoarse. “I… I realize now.”
Nyla gave a small, cautious smile. “Realize what, Clark?” she asked softly, almost in a whisper.
Clark lowered his head. “I realize… I’ve been wrong. I’ve been torturing myself. I let Selena… and I let myself grow weak… until I almost lost everything—especially you.”
Nyla moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Clark, I just want you to be well. You can’t keep hurting yourself. I’m here… I want to take care of you.”
Clark raised his hand, reaching for hers, slowly holding it. “I… I want you by my side. I want you to take care of me… but I don’t know if I deserve it after everything I’ve done.”
Nyla looked into his eyes, teary but steady. “Clark… don’t speak like that. You can still be fixed. You can still come back.”
Suddenly, the bedroom door slammed open. Selena stormed in, her face flushed with anger. Her eyes blazed with hatred, her lips trembling. “Stop! Don’t touch him!” she shouted, her voice breaking.
Clark turned weakly but held his gaze firm. “Selena… no. I… I want Nyla here. I realize… I was wrong.”
Selena moved closer, her face burning with rage. “You think I’ll let this happen? You think you can reject me just like that?”
Nyla stood up, trying to calm the situation. “Selena, don’t do this. I don’t want any conflict.”
“Shut up!” Selena screamed. Without warning, her hand shot out and slapped Nyla across the face. The sound echoed through the room, making Clark flinch and cover his face with his hands. Nyla stared at Selena, eyes reddened, but she stood her ground, unyielding.
“You’re insane!” Nyla shouted, her voice full of anger but firm. “What are you doing? I’m not here to be struck!”
Selena stepped even closer, trying to push Nyla away. “Go! Don’t pretend to be an angel! Clark will stay with me!”
Clark rose, weak but resolute. “No! Selena… this is enough!” His voice cracked but held determination. “I’ve seen everything. I was wrong all along… but I choose Nyla. I want her here, not you!”
Selena froze for a moment, stunned by Clark’s resolve. Her eyes blazed, but the world seemed to spin against her plans. “You… you’re taking her side? After everything I’ve done?” she screamed, breathless with anger and frustration.
Clark stepped toward Nyla, taking her hand and locking eyes with her. “I choose you, Nyla. I realize my mistakes, and I won’t be misled by deceit and manipulation again. I want you to take care of me… because I want to fix myself, with you.”
Nyla looked at him, tears welling in her eyes. “Clark… you don’t know how happy that makes me. I’ve waited for this moment, and I will stay by your side, but you have to promise me…”
Clark nodded, gripping Nyla’s hands tightly. “I promise. I will change. I won’t waste you again.”
Selena, witnessing the scene, felt her anger explode. She stomped her foot, glaring at Nyla. “You think you’ve won? You think you can take him from me?”
Without warning, Selena slapped Nyla again, this time harder. Nyla staggered but met Selena’s gaze with full courage and fury. “Enough! I will not stay silent!” Nyla shouted, her voice echoing. “I am not someone you can humiliate! If you want trouble, make it—but I will not leave!”
Clark stood beside Nyla, still weak, but his voice was firm. “Selena… you’ve crossed the line. I will not let you hurt Nyla. I choose her. I will not be toyed with again.”
Selena glared at them, her face pale with rage and frustration. Tears began to fall—not from remorse, but from defeat. “You… you’ll regret this!” she shouted, her voice full of threat.
Nyla turned to Clark, then back at Selena. “Clark… I want you to be well. I want you to become yourself again. We can get through this together. But Selena… you have to leave now.”
Selena flung herself back, looking at Clark one last time. “You don’t know what you’re choosing. I… I will be back!” she screamed before slamming the bedroom door.
Clark collapsed onto the bed, his breath ragged from a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and lingering pain. Nyla sat beside him, gently patting his back. “I’m here, Clark. It’s all over. You’re safe now.”
Clark looked at Nyla, tears rolling down his cheeks. “I… I was scared… I almost lost everything… I almost gave up…”
Nyla held his hand, gentle but firm. “But you realize now. You know what’s important. And you still have a chance to make things right. I’ll be by your side.”
Clark drew a long, shaky breath, feeling the tension in his chest slowly ease. He knew Selena might try again, but for the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of control over his life—that he could choose for himself who deserved to be by his side.
That night, Clark understood one thing: nothing could replace Nyla’s honesty, sincerity, and courage. Selena might manipulate or provoke him, but his heart belonged to Nyla, and she was the only one who could pull him back from the edge of destruction.