Chapter 78- She Chose Him
Chapter 78- She Chose Him
Stone felt the world shift beneath him as her words settled between them, heavy and unrelenting. His breath hitched, and for the briefest of moments, his heart seemed to stop entirely before it started again, hammering against his ribs with a force that rattled his entire being. He stared at her, unable to move, unable to think, unable to process the reality she had just spoken into existence.
She had chosen him. Over Daniel.
But was it truly her decision? Was it something she wanted, or was it merely the only path left for her to take?
He needed to be sure.
As much as he longed to accept what she was offering—what she was surrendering—he couldn’t bring himself to take it without knowing that she wanted him. Not because she had no other choice, not because fate had dictated it, but because her heart had led her here.
His hand lifted, trembling slightly, as he cupped her cheek with a reverence he hadn’t known he was capable of. His fingers traced the delicate line of her jaw, his touch feather-light, mirroring the way he had first done so in the mall. He hadn’t understood it then—not fully. But now, with her sitting before him, with the weight of destiny pressing between them, it all made perfect sense.
She shivered at his touch, her breath catching in her throat, her eyelids fluttering closed as he clasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He waited—waited for her to open those mesmerizing eyes again, waited to see the truth reflected back at him.
“You don’t have to."
His voice was quiet, filled with uncertainty, with hesitation. He was terrified of what he might find in her expression—terrified that she was simply giving in to the inevitable rather than embracing it willingly.
Then, slowly, her lashes lifted, and he found himself drowning.
Her eyes—how had he never noticed just how breathtaking they were? The edges of her irises were deep forest green, melting into olive before giving way to rich chestnut, and then darkening into russet near her pupils. Every shade, every hue, pulled him deeper, held him captive, and he could hardly fathom the whispered words that fell from her lips.
She entwined her fingers with his in her lap, holding his hand tightly before pressing it against her chest.
Her heartbeat was frantic beneath his palm, wild and unrestrained.
"What if I want to?" she murmured.
A warmth spread through him at her touch, sinking beneath his skin, settling deep within his bones.
Despite the lingering pain in her gaze, despite the sorrow that still clung to her, he could see it—feel it.
She wanted him.
She had fought against it for so long, tried to suppress it, tried to force herself to let go—but she couldn’t. Neither of them could.
They had been resisting a bond that had already chosen them.
"You… would be willing… to be with me?" The words barely made it past his lips.
“How can I say no when I can’t go one day, without thinking about you?" she whispered, her voice trembling but sure. "How can I marry Daniel and live my life with him, knowing that I’ll always be thinking of you, wondering if you're just a few feet away, or miles beyond my reach? How can I still be with him when it’s your touch that I crave?"
She closed her eyes, her brows drawing together as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. Her breath was uneven, growing heavier with each passing second. Her grip on his hand was so tight, as if she feared he might slip away if she loosened her hold.
“I didn’t understand it at first," she continued, her voice breaking. “Not until yesterday. Then everything made sense. Every feeling, every moment. We’re soulmates. We’re meant to be together… aren’t we?"
She pulled back slightly, searching his gaze for confirmation.
“Yes."
It was the only word he could force past the storm raging inside him.
"Then how can I stay with him when I’m meant to be with you?" she asked, and then, almost as if she was answering herself, “I can’t. I won’t. I won’t leave you now."
"Then don’t," he murmured, pulling her closer.
Her words tore through him, breaking apart the walls he had spent years reinforcing. His resistance crumbled beneath the weight of her touch, beneath the sheer force of her emotions. He had bottled everything inside for so long—his fear, his doubt, his grief—but now, all of it was dissolving.
Like autumn leaves surrendering to the wind, he let go.
It had never seemed possible. She was human, and yet—she belonged to him.
With a slow, reverent motion, he brushed his fingers through her hair, whispering her name with a tenderness that sent a shiver rippling through her.