Chapter 166 ON MY KNEES...

Chapter 166 ON MY KNEES...
GABRIELLA

I swallowed, unsure what I was supposed to do.

"I'd like to see Ms. Heart," he said quietly. His gaze drifted past me for a brief second before returning to mine. "If she's home."

A humorless laugh escaped me. "You're bold, I'll give you that." I folded my arms. "Coming here of all places… And actually thinking I'd let you see her."

The faint smile on his face disappeared only for a moment. Then it returned, smaller this time.

"So..." he asked softly. "She doesn't want to see me."

It wasn't even a question. Wow. This man…

I scoffed. "I think you already know the answer. So what's the point? You're the last person she'd ever want to—"

"I know." He interrupted gently. There wasn't a trace of defensiveness in his voice. Slowly, he slipped one hand into his pocket. "I understand why you feel that way." He nodded once. "To you… I'm the man who broke your friend. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to shut the door in my face."

His eyes met mine again. "But… I don't think you would've stood here listening to me this long if a part of you hadn't wondered whether I deserved five minutes."

My lips parted but no words came out.

"It won't take long. I promise." His eyes softened again. "If she still doesn't want to see me after that… I'll leave." He gave a small nod. "And I won't come back."

Silence stretched between us before he added. "What do you say?”

It took me longer than I'd like to admit to make up my mind. Every part of me wanted to slam the door in his face and tell him to go to hell. But… Samil's words echoed in my head.

That… Sometimes the kindest thing we can do... is step back and let them figure it out themselves.

I let out a slow breath. "Fine." I pressed my lips together. "You've got five minutes."

I stepped aside and opened the door wider. He stood straighter the moment I opened the door fully for him to come in, almost as if he refused to let anyone see how exhausted he really was. But the dark circles beneath his eyes, the slight stiffness in the way he carried himself, and the careful way he shifted his weight from one foot to the other betrayed him.

The second he walked in, I closed it behind him and followed a few steps before stopping. "She hasn't really come out of her room in days." I pointed toward Karima's bedroom. "That's her room."

I lowered my hand. "That's as much help as you're getting from me. The rest..." I shrugged. "Depends on whether she's willing to listen."

His eyes lingered on the bedroom door before returning to me.

"Thank you." He gave me a small nod.

"I can't exactly say you're welcome."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I understand."

There wasn't a hint of offense in his voice. He simply turned and walked toward Karima's door. When he reached it… He stopped.

His hand hovered over the wood for a long second without knocking. For the first time since he'd arrived… He looked afraid… Not of being thrown out now. But of what waited on the other side of that door.

I watched him for another moment before quietly turning away. Whatever happened next… Was between the two of them.

I disappeared into the kitchen, leaving them to face the past alone.

OWAIN

The first knock felt like a hammer striking straight against my chest. I waited but I heard nothing. I swallowed, forcing down the knot in my throat, then knocked again. Still no answer.

I stood there for another few seconds before raising my hand for a third knock. Just before my knuckles touched the wood… I heard footsteps.

Slow. Unhurried… My pulse kicked hard against my ribs. Then, the door opened.

Karry's head appeared first. Then the rest of her. The second her eyes landed on me, she froze. So did I.

She looked… Nothing like the Karry I remembered. Dark circles sat beneath her eyes. Her face had lost its usual glow, and there was a quiet exhaustion about her that hurt far more than if she'd opened the door furious.

For a long second… Neither of us spoke.

Eventually, "Mr. Marco?" Her voice was quiet. Almost cautious. Just hearing it eased something painfully tight inside my chest.

I managed a small nod. "Yeah."

Her eyes searched my face. "Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

She studied me for a moment before shaking her head. "You should still be recovering. This could've waited, Mr. Marco." Her gaze drifted past me toward the living room.

I followed it before understanding. "Your friend let me in."

Her eyes returned to mine.

"It took some convincing." A faint smile tugged at my lips. "She also told me you haven't really left your room."

"Yeah." That was all she said. Nothing more. The silence that followed felt heavier than any argument we'd ever had.

"Karry..."

"I owe you an apology." She cut me off before I could continue. Her voice was calm. "What happened that night shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry." She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at me. "I just hope it doesn't affect your trust in the company."

I stared at her. Completely confused. "Karry… It wasn't anyone's fault."

She gave a small nod. "Thank you." Then she reached for the doorknob. "If that's all… I'd like to go back inside.”

"Please... don't do this." My voice came out softer than I'd intended.

Her chin lifted slightly. "I respect you, Mr. Marco." Her tone hardened. "Please don't overstep your boundaries.".She took a slow breath. "I listened because you're still my boss. I'd appreciate it if we kept it that way."

My chest tightened. Before I could find the words to answer, she turned and walked back inside..The door began to close. Instinct took over. I reached out and caught the handle.

She jerked it back.

"Ah... shit...".A sharp pain ripped through my side..My hand flew to my abdomen as I doubled over slightly. Karry's expression changed instantly.

"Owain?" She rushed toward me before stopping herself just inches away, like she wanted to help but no longer knew if she had the right. "You shouldn't have done that."

I forced myself to straighten despite the pain burning through my side. "I'm sorry."

My eyes drifted down instinctively. The bandage beneath my shirt already felt damp. I swallowed the discomfort before looking back at her.

"Do you mind if I sit down for a minute?"

She folded her arms tightly across her chest.."I think you should leave."

I slowly shook my head.

"For God's sake..." she snapped, frustration finally spilling over. "Can you just leave?" She pressed both hands against her face before looking at me again. "I'm begging you, Owain. Please… Just leave while I'm still asking nicely."

"What's going on?" Gabriella's voice broke through the tension as she hurried over.

Karima turned on her immediately. "Gabriella!" She snapped. "Why the hell did you let him in?”

Gabriella looked between us before answering quietly. "I'm sorry, Karry... but I thought maybe this was what you needed."

Karima let out a bitter laugh. "With all due respect, Gabs... that's not your decision to make." Her voice cracked despite how hard she tried to keep it steady. "You don't get to decide what's right for me."

She pointed toward the door. "And you..." She looked back at me. "Leave."

"I understand you're angry…"

"Alright." I cut Gabriella off before she could continue. "I'll leave." I swallowed hard. "But only after I ask you one thing."

I stepped toward her. She immediately stepped back. I closed the distance again and gently caught her wrist before she could move farther away. "Don't."

She struggled against my grip. "Let go of me."

"I will." My voice barely rose above a whisper. "But first..." I searched her eyes. "You've hated me. You've blamed me. And maybe I deserved every bit of it." I nodded to myself. "I'm not asking you to take me back. I lost that chance a long time ago."

A lump rose painfully in my throat. "But I need to hear one thing from you."

She stopped fighting and then I held her gaze. "Tell me… Tell me the part of you that once loved me is gone." My voice broke. "Because for me…” I smiled sadly. "I'll love you for the rest of my life… So tell me… Is your heart really saying the same?”

Just like that, tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away almost immediately and looked away from me.

"I love Isaiah."

Her voice cracked as she finally lifted her eyes back to mine.

"I know." I nodded slowly. "I saw that the other night." I swallowed. "But that's not what I'm asking." My thumb brushed lightly against the back of her hand. "I'm asking if your heart still calls for me, Karry."

Silence streched between us… A long, unbearable silence. Every passing second of it tightened something inside my chest.

I wanted her to say yes. Maybe I'd still let her go afterward… But I knew one thing with painful certainty. I couldn't imagine my life without her. I'd tried. I'd buried myself in work. I'd changed everything I could. Everything except the way I felt about her.

No matter how hard I fought it, she was still the woman my heart searched for. The thought of another man loving her… Holding her… Building a life with her… It destroyed me.

The truth was, I'd spent weeks convincing myself I could let her go. Standing here now… I finally realized I'd been lying to myself. I couldn't.

Finally, her voice broke the silence. "You hurt me." The words came out barely above a whisper. Another tear escaped before she could stop it.

Something warm rolled down my own cheek. I didn't even realize I was crying until it fell from my jaw. "I know." My voice broke. "I know.”

Without breaking eye contact, I slowly lowered myself to my knees. Pain shot through my side almost instantly. I clenched my jaw, refusing to let it show. Right now… It didn't matter.

Karima's eyes widened in alarm, but I kept my gaze fixed on hers. Gently, I lifted her hand to my lips. I pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles. Closed my eyes. Then looked back at her.

Tears streamed freely down her face now. She wiped them away with trembling fingers.

"I'm sorry." The words barely made it past my throat.

She slowly shook her head, swallowing down another tears before she could say anything. "I forgive you." Her voice trembled. "I should've done that a long time ago." She swallowed, struggling to hold herself together.

"But..." She drew in a shaky breath. "I'm still choosing Isaiah."

The words landed like a knife twisting slowly through my chest. She carefully slipped her hand from mine. "I'm sorry."

Then she turned away. I watched her disappear back inside. I didn't call after her. I didn't try to stop her. I simply remained where I was… On my knees. With an apology she'd accepted… And a love she could no longer return.