Eleanor’s voice was trembling. “It’s okay,” I reassured her quickly. “It’s no trouble. It was bound to happen eventually. It’s not like we could avoid them forever.
I was truly prepared to face them and clear the air, but I never expected them to arrive so quickly,
That evening, as I stepped out of the studio, I saw two figures leaning against a tree, smoking in the twilight.
One was gaunt, the other deathly pale.
Stumped there in the shadows, they looked like a pair of vengeful ghosts.
Especially Gideon. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up like a starving dog spotting a bone, and he lunged toward me.
Startled, I immediately took two steps back, staring at him as if he were a madman.
Realizing his mistake, he froze, not daring to move closer.
‘Don’t be scared, please dont be scared! I’m sorry, that was reckless of me. I just missed you so much, Aura.”
Goosebumps erupted on my skin. “Don’t call me that, Mr. Bernard. Aurora will do.”
The formal address made his face turn two shades paler.
His lips moved, but for a long moment, no sound came out.
Felix, standing behind him, grew impatient and gave him a shove.
‘Aurora, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I know it’s too late for apologies, I know that! But please, just give us another chance. Come back with us. Let us make it up o you, okay?”
I watched him nervously wringing his hands and could only find the whole situation absurd.
Go back? Make it up to me?
n over twenty years, I’d never heard such a ridiculous joke.
couldn’t help it, I laughed out loud.
They both flinched, their expressions growing even more tense.
What kind of joke is that, Mr. Durand? Whose brother are you? I don’t have a brother, so please don’t mistake me for your sister.”
He didn’t argue. He just stood there, two steps away, looking dazed, his eyes cast down as the dim yellow streetlight stretched his shadow into a distorted shape.
was still a bit taken aback. He was so much thinner, his cheeks were actually sunken.
He kept his head lowered and spoke as softly as he could.
Aurora, I know you’re angry. I’m sorry. I never, ever should have lost my temper and thrown that wine on you.”
I shouldn’t have bullied you, I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’ve been looking for you, but I also had a new wedding dress custom–made for you. Please, just orgive me and come home, okay?”
His words sounded sincere enough, but strangely, they didn’t stir a single ripple of emotion in me.
What he owed me, the ways he had wronged me, was it really just about that one glass of wine?
I looked at his face and realized, with a jolt, that it was completely unfamiliar.
In my memory, the grown–up Felix always had a furrowed brow when he looked at me, his eyes filled with suspicion and disappointment.
When had he ever worn such a peaceful, gentle expression?
It was as if we were kids again.
$37.01
I gave a self–deprecating laugh. “This has to be a dream. Either you’re dreaming, or I am.”
“Felix, don’t look at nie like that. I almost don’t recognize you.”
He lifted his head, about to explain something, but just then, my phone rang.
Chapter 11
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.