Cloud Library II

💝💔SCARLET
HEARTS💔💝
{Love and vengeance}

Written by: Mercy Sheidu. 💛💛
Settings: Persia/Greece/Rome.
Genre: Historical romance.

♠CHAPTER 121♠

She stood outside the castle, fists clenched tightly by her sides, and her eyes fixed ahead at the dazzling bright blue sky as though it held the answers to quell the maelstrom of emotions running through her. She felt relief and anger. Relief for finally hearing his explanation and anger at herself for easily letting go her years of resentment.

These conflicting emotions threatened to overwhelm her until she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was just the comfort she needed at that moment — a reassuring presence.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his hand lingering where it laid gently against her shoulder.

She glanced at him and nodded. "I'm fine."

He wasn't convinced. The expression on her face said otherwise. And God help if he wasn't tempted to just haul her into his arms and protect her from the world.

"General," his hands reluctantly slipped off her shoulder, and they both turned around to find Princess Sawyer approaching.

She halted a few feet away from them, and gave them each a nod of acknowledgement.

"Your highness, do you need something?" Alexander asked while Dina only stared blankly at her.

"Not really." She replied, casting them each another glance. "I only want to apologize. In the past, I did a lot of desperate things that I'm ashamed of. I know no amount of apology will undo what's been done, or lessen the effects, but it'll all I can offer sincerely."

Dina maintained her neutral front but deep within, she was skeptical. She didn't know if this remorse was willingly prompted, or it was circumstances had forced it out, leaving her with no other option. But either way, she really didn't care. The princess had not directly offended her before.

"It's all in the past, your highness and you've been of big help in the turn out of things. We would not have gotten that ledger without you." Alexander said.

The ledger which was the evidence that convicted Prince Melville was indeed secretly turned in by the princess. Apparently, what she had found in prince melville's closet that day was the ledger. Alexander and Dina on their return, were graced by her unexpected visit and cooperation. Perhaps, her remorse was genuine after all.

"Compared to the harm I've done in the past, it's the least I could do." She turned her gaze on Dina. "I should apologize to you too."

"You've done nothing to me that's deserving of an apology from you." She muttered bluntly.

"I know. Still, my brother once harmed your sister. On his behalf, I'm apologizing."

At the mention of that awful incident, Dina felt her jaws clench reflexively. An urge to punch the bastard in the face once more, stirred but she suppressed it.

"If there's anyone who deserves this apology, it is Anna and not me." With that said, she turned around and began to walk away.

"Take care, princess." Alexander offered his parting words and walked off to join Dina.

As they rode on their individual horses, Dina still seemed to be lost in thoughts.

"So, what's your plan?" Alexander asked. The question had been on his mind since he rose from bed that morning.

A plan. Dina has not really given it a thought.
"To return to Greece of course." She muttered under her breath. That seemed like the most viable answer and the rational thing to do. After all, coming to Rome was all on impulse and the outcome? It was just as unpredictable.

"I never should have come in the first place." She added.

Something in him twisted at those words, at that unmistakable regret in her voice. He was tempted to ask if in all these, whether their encounter and all they went through was also a part of this regret. But instead, he nodded sharply.

"Right," he hummed. "When do you intend leaving?"

"I'll have to discuss that with my Aunt." She answered. "But I'll tell you when it's decided."

The rest of the ride lasted almost thirty minutes and in relative silence. Both parties had unspoken words hanging at the tip of their tongues yet, none dared to break the ice.

When they arrived at the military headquarters, their comrades had gathered await in a tent. She didn't know how to face them or how they'd react. These are people that she'd gone through life and death with, fight side by side and having each other's back. The same people she'd lied to and deceived.

Having noticed her nervousness, Alexander took her hand briefly into his and squeeze reassuringly. "It'll be fine. I'm here."

After several deep breaths of preparation, she mustered the courage she needed and ventured into the tent. They were eating their usual ration of flatbread when she entered and a perturbed silence descended, as if the universe had paused. She felt the scrutiny as all eyes scan her from head to toe. She could practically hear the wheels turning in their heads, a perfect sync to the rapid drumming of her heart.

"So, you're just going to stand there? Or do you think because you're a proper lady now, you can't eat with us anymore?" Augustus spoke, breaking the silence and effectively rolling away the tension.

She smiled when the rest murmured in agreement.

"Of course not." She muttered, moving forward to pick a slice from the big plate they ate from. She took a bite and chewed slowly, memories of her ordeals as Camillo, hitting her like a flood.

She exhaled, placing the half eaten piece of flatbread on the table. "Guys, I'm sorry. I lied and deceived everyone about my identity all these time."

"We're not upset. We were just surprised, right guys?" Another spoke, glancing around as others concorded. "Besides, it will have been a shame if we missed having a great soldier like you among us because of gender misconceptions."

"Besides," Zebedee rose and took a step forward. "We're all glad you made it out unshattered."

"Tonight, we've arranged a feast just for you."

Dina couldn't help the tears that clouded her vision. She was moved by this acceptance that she some how felt she was undeserving of.

Later that evening, as the camp boomed with merriment, Dina finally saw and admitted that not everything that had happened so far was regretful. She didn't regret joining the army, she didn't regret meeting these wonderful people and she was certainly going to miss being Camillo.

She glanced around and sighted Alexander nursing a cup of wine by a corner. She quietly slipped away from the midst of her comrades and walked up to him. She stood close to him for a moment without breaking the silence and finally, she gently took the cup away from his grip.

"There's something on your mind." It wasn't a question. It was an observation. She'd known him well enough now, to decipher his every mood.

"Walk with me." He mutter under his breath and without awaiting an approval, he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers.

They walked queitly under the moonlight, away from the base. For the first few minutes, the silence reigned until he was ready to break it, whispering softly,

"Stay."

That word, as simple as it was, weighed heavily in Dina's heart. She stopped walking and so did he. She glanced up him, taking in the moonlit features of his, and swallowed.

"I..." She trailed off and exhaled sharply.

"I'm not trying to be insensitive and hell, I met sound really selfish right now, but I want you to stay." His taller frame overshadowed her now, invading her personal space just a little.

"I can arrange for you to reenlist if you want. As you can see back there, our comrades they don't mind your gender. And you're a hero of Rome, Dina. No one is going to object to it." He continued. His voice lowered by an octave as he said the next lines. "I don't believe there's no attachment in your heart for this place."

"It's not about attachment, Alex." She spoke. "Indeed, there's so much I don't want to leave behind but I can't stay either. You know that."

"Not even for me?" There was a raw desperation in his voice now. He wasn't being fair and he knew it but he couldn't help trying any means possible to get her to stay. But when he saw that confliction in her eyes, that uncertainty, he felt a pang of guilt for pushing this hard.

"It's fine." He took a step back. "That was unreasonable of me. I should respect your decision and I won't put you in a tight spot. Indeed, you've gone through a lot already and leaving is obviously the best options." He wasn't just trying to be rational but he was also trying to convince himself too, to lessen this feeling of emptiness he already feeling.

For a moment, Dina was tempted to just agree and stay. But this wasn't just about her anymore. She had to consider everyone in her decisions. Back then, an impulse step had brought her to this point, and a number of people suffered because of it.

"Alex," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the still night. She took a step forward, covering that distance between them. "I'll come back."

Those words offered some comfort to his aching heart. "You promise?"

And that nod was the reassurance he needed. In a fluid motion that bellied the whirlpool of emotions within, his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His other hand cradled the back her head, tilting it slightly as he pressed his lips on hers. The kiss was slow burning, his emotions reflected in the way his mouth moved against hers.

His forehead rested gently against hers as he finally pulled away for a much needed breath, his hand moving from her back head to caress the soft curves of her cheek.

"I'll be waiting." He whispered, his thumb tracing the lines of her swollen lower lip.


TBC.
Unedited.

💝💔SCARLET
HEARTS💔💝
{Love and vengeance}

Written by: Mercy Sheidu. 💛💛
Settings: Persia/Greece/Rome.
Genre: Historical romance.

♠CHAPTER 120♠

The court stilled over the Queen mother's presence. She was willing to testify against her own son. If the Caesar was sick and his mind controlled, was the Queen mother also under some kind spell too? The Lords and Ministers were no fools.

"Melville," she called. "It's not too late to admit your crimes and repent."

Melville's laugh was hysterical. When the sound died out, his gaze hardened.

"You've always favored Rho over me. Back then, I thought you were doing it just to earn father's favor but it turns out you've long been lost in your delusion and would even collude with them against me." He turned abruptly to face the Lords and ministers once more. "These are still empty words. No evidence."

"You're so sure there's no evidence cause you thought you've destroyed it. Sadly, you're not as meticulous as you claim to be." Alexander said.

Melville's eyes widened in disbelief when Alexander pulled out the ledger.

"Shocked?" Alexander smirked and tossed the ledger at the prime minister. "There. The evidence you all seek. It contains irrefutable proof of Prince melville's collusion with the enemy."

The minister examined the ledger carefully, passing it on to his colleagues.

"Now, do you dare say there's no proof?" Dina muttered and he scowled.

"Where are those bastards?"

"You mean General Nino and his soldiers? Don't bother, they won't be coming." Alexander smirked.

Just then, lieutenant Zebedee matched in with some soldiers to apprehend Prince Melville.

"You committed treason, attempted regicide and planned to rebel and Seize the throne. There is evidence and witness. Prince Melville, do you plead guilty?"

Prince Melville glared as the soldiers forced him to kneel.

"Your Majesty," Alexander turned to the Caesar. "Speak the word."

They had all been too engrossed in Prince Melville's case to notice that the Caesar had paled. As he opened his mouth to speak, he coughed up blood, chunks of it.


Whispers of what had happened in court echoed throughout the castle and soon, the capital was talking about Prince melville's arrest.

All members of the Royal household except Queen Roseline who was also currently detained, waited outside the Caesar's chambers while the royal physician attended to him. His relapse in court earlier had been met with panic.

When the doors opened and the physician came out, they rushed at him.

"How is he?" Asked the Queen mother.

"His Majesty is fine for now." Replied the old physician.

"For now? What does that mean? Speak plainly." Aladdin frowned.

"Although that miracle pill he took detoxified the poison, his vital organs already took an irreversibly fatal impact. I'm afraid his Majesty has a limited time." He explained sadly.

"Is he conscious now?" The second queen asked and the physician nodded.

"He is. And he demands to see you all."

Slowly, they filtered into the Caesar's chambers to find him laid on his bed, his skin pale.

"Why the dull faces? It's not my funeral yet." Rho's attempt at dry humor didn't work, so he sighed. "I know. I haven't been a great ruler or the best father. I had my limitations and shortcomings and this mess today was entirely due to my lack of decisiveness."

Their heads snapped towards the door when it opened and Alexander walked in with Dina.

"Your highnesses, your Majesty." They both bowed.

"Alexander, how's the situation?" Rho asked.

"Everything is under control, your Majesty. While Prince Melville is behind bars, Queen Roseline awaits trails." Alexander reported.

Rho managed a nod, his gaze zeroing on Dina. He wanted twitched on the bed beside him. All her wanted to do at that moment was to feel her palms in his and apologize for everything but he knew apologies where far from enough. And now, his life was at the end of his rope and there's no way he can make it up to her in this lifetime.

"I met Dorothy by chance." He began and Dina's jaws ticked at the mention of her mother's name. "I was captivated at first sight. She was the gentlest soul I've ever met. Her smile always reminded me of dawn."

Dina held back a scoff. She could help the mixed emotions she felt as he spoke. Irritation, anger, hurt. They coiled up and tugged her heart like a bowstring.

Alexander noticed and subtly took her hand in his, rubbing slow, comforting circle on the back of her palm. It worked. She calmed down relatively as she listened to the man that was supposed to be here father, speak.

"I did loved her." He continued. "I was determined to be with her at all cost, ignoring the difference in our status. But I guess I was too selfish. Even after I was betrothed, I still couldn't let go. Eventually, my father found out and was furious. Even so, I was stubborn. But when Roseline accused me of being responsible for her pregnancy, I frayed. My father threatened to wipe out Dorothy and her family so I had no choice than to succumb and bend to my father's will. But I old realized that Dorothy was pregnant after I'd ended things with her. And shortly, she left and I never heard from her again."

Dina exhaled sharply. And so what? He was forced but that didn't change the fact that because of him, her mother suffered and died during childbirth.

"I know nothing I'll say can justify what has happened, but I do owe you an apology, Dina. And with what's left of this life of mine, I'll like to do everything I can to ease your pain and atone for my absence in your life and all the trauma it caused."

"No need." Her reply came sharper than intended. "I'm willing to let go of my grievances, but here's one thing I don't think I can bring myself to do. And that's acknowledging you as my father."

She broke free from Alexander's grip, turned around and left.


TBC.
Unedited.

💝💔SCARLET
HEARTS💔💝
{Love and vengeance}

Written by: Mercy Sheidu. 💛💛
Settings: Persia/Greece/Rome.
Genre: Historical romance.

♠CHAPTER 119♠

The sun shone brightly on this day like every other day. Yet, a subtle tension settled over the castle, like everyone knew deep down that the day was going bring forth a lot of tidings and dramas.

As Prince Melville prepared for morning court session, his henchman stood beside him.

"Is everything ready?" He asked, tying the sash of his apparel.

"Yes, your highness, everything is ready." The henchman answered.

Prince Melville nodded. With his hands behind him, he walked to the window and glanced down from there to behold Lords and ministers tripping into the castle.

"Any news from the ghost market?" He asked.

"Not yet. But no matter how skilled those two are, they can't possibly escape unshattered." The henchman reassured. "But I'll check in today to see if any news has dropped."

"No need. Whether or not they escaped, what's important is that they found no evidence and they can't change what's meant to happen. Fate is on my side." He smiled.

He turned around and began to head for the exit. "It's time. Go make sure everything is in place. Nothing must go wrong."

In court, Lords and ministers already gathered, awaiting the commencement of court session. Each knew today's court was going to yield a major change to Rome's monarchy and in their hearts, they already decided where their loyalty laid.

At the arrival of the Caesar, they all straightened up.

"All hail Caesar!" They chorused.

The Caesar walked quietly to his throne, his steps cautious — a bit too cautious even. It was as though if he moved any faster, he'd lose his balance. He reached his throne and sat. And for a moment, he shut his eyes to muster strength. But it was obvious. His health had declined significantly.

The Lords and ministers glanced at each other in a silent understanding.

When the Caesar finally opened his eyes, he glanced around the court, observing those in attendance. Aside from the Lords and Ministers, from the royal household, Prince Melville, Prince Aladdin, Prince Saul and surprisingly, Prince Felix too, were all present. When Felix had received the decree from his father earlier to attend court, he was surprised. Cause ever since his scandal, his princely rights were stripped.

"Today, we'd discuss a very crucial matter." The Caesar began. He took a pause. He wasn't sure how to tabulate this matter without disrupting court order, yet, it was high time the cat was let out of the bag.

"Prince Melville, step forward."

With a small smile, Prince Melville stepped forward as instructed.

"Before our father passed away, we made a promise to him. Do you remember what that promise was?"

A pause. Prince Melville's gaze hardened at the Caesar's words. "We promised to protect and secure Rome's future."

"It's a good thing that you remember." The Caesar nodded and lifted his gaze. "I'm charging Prince Melville with the following crimes. Embezzlement, attempted regicide and treason."

Murmurs erupted as the tension finally began to descend.

"Prince Melville, as a regent, you embezzled funds for stress relief, causing thousands of citizens to suffer. With the help of Queen Roseline, you poisoned me and attempted regicide. You colluded with Hakim and helped the enemy nation invade our lands, committing the act of treason. Do you plead guilty to these charges?"

The murmurs had amplified.
"Impossible! Prince Melville would never."
"Did he really commit these crimes?"
"There's no evidence."
"Is the Caesar just trying to get rid of his brother?"

Prince Melville chuckled. "Oh brother. I understand that we've never been in good terms. But you're Caesar. You could just order my ex*****on upfront instead of trying to slander me with baseless accusations. You want to get rid of me without painting yourself a tyrant? Now that's hypocritical."

He turned around to face the Lords and ministers of the court. "But I don't blame the Caesar. His mind is being manipulated. He is sick and a sick man shouldn't make decisions for Rome."

"Mind your words, Prince Melville." Aladdin sneered, stepping forward. "What are you implying? That the Caesar is too sick to rule? Are you trying to rebel?"

"Take a look at him." Prince Melville gestured at the Caesar on his throne, ignoring Aladdin. "Doesn't him seem like someone who'd collapse anytime? He charged me with heavy crimes with no single evidence. Is that the kind of leader Rome should have? Someone who is losing his mind. It's me this time. Who knows who else he may charge next."

"And who says there's no evidence?" All eyes snapped as Alexander and Dina walked in. Prince Melville's jaws clenched at the sight of them.

"There is evidence and witnesses too." Alexander bowed before the Caesar and casted a death glare at Prince Melville. "I'm sure you're disappointed to see us alive. But we didn't come empty handed. We brought you a gift."

"Everyone." Dina spoke, glancing from one Lord to another. "About the regicide attempt I was charged with. This is the truth concerning the matter."

"Indeed, I held deep resentment in my heart against the Caesar cause he caused my mother's death. I swore vengeance so I discarded my identity and crossdressed to join the military. But later, I realized there was more going on than I had thought, so I set my vengeance aside. When the Caesar fell into coma, Prince Melville already discovered my identity and planned to use me a disposable pawn in his dirty games. He offered me an opportunity to kill the Caesar. That night of the Regicide attempt, I faced no hindrance accessing the Caesar because he cleared the way for me. He had planned on using me to kill the Caesar and make me a scapegoat at the same time. But he never thought that instead of feeding the Caesar the poisonous pill he gave me, I had given him a lifesaving one instead."

"Lies." Prince Melville growled. "You think anyone will believe the empty words of a wanted criminal? Try harder." He gritted.

"Oh, there is a witness." Alexander said and Simone led his soldiers to bring in the former head of the palace security.

At the sight of the man, another murmur erupted. A few days after that regicide attempt, the security head was said to have died in a sudden fire with his family and now, seeing him in court sure sparked bewilderment.

"You looked surprised, prince Melville. Didn't expect that he'd still be alive right?" Alexander smirked and turned to the man who was made to kneel before the court. "Tell everyone what happened that night."

"That night, Prince Melville had paid me a huge amount of money to make sure the Caesar's chamber was left unguarded by midnight. He also instructed me not to let the assassin escape and that I should blow the alarm once I was sure that the assassin had carried out the mission. But he didn't foresee that the assassin didn't really intend to harm his Majesty." The man confessed.

"Empty words!" Prince Melville growled yet. "You have no single proof."

"What about poisoning the Caesar? Are you also going to deny colluding with Queen Roseline to poison the Caesar?" Alexander countered. "This time, we've got both evidence and witnesses."

"I can see you've all been planning this for a very long time. But I will like to see who your witness is this time. Another guard? Or a servant maybe?"

"Me." Everyone turned when the Queen mother entered and Prince Melville froze.

"Mother?" His eyes widened in shock.


TBC.
Unedited.

💝💔SCARLET
HEARTS💔💝
{Love and vengeance}

Written by: Mercy Sheidu. 💛💛
Settings: Persia/Greece/Rome.
Genre: Historical romance.

♠CHAPTER 118♠

Alexander exhaled and pulled off his mask. He glanced at the group of assassins surrounding him, and returned his gaze to the steward.

"What gave me away?" He asked.

"For one, Prince Melville only sends one hitmam that I know. He is cautious. Secondly, prince Melville already contacted me." The steward smirked, taking deliberate slow strides until he stood in front of him. "Not only did he retrieve the ledger, he also paid for the delivery of two heads."

Alexander frowned. "Whose heads?"

"Oh you already know who but if you need me to stress it, I'll be more than willing." The steward leaned in, his voice lowering to almost a whisper as if he was about to tell him a secret. "Yours and that of your little crossdresser."

The door bursted open and two men dragged Dina in. Her mask was gone too.

"Sire, we found her." Said one of the men.

They pushed her forward and she staggered towards Alexander who quickly held her wrist and stabilized her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine." She muttered, looking around. She'd been scouting the area like she said she would, but then she was discovered. She tried to fight them off but they outnumbered her and in the end, she was captured.

"Great," the steward grinned, flashing his braced dentition. "Now, you both can die together and that way, none of you will be lonely in the underworld."

He raised two left fingers and signaled his men. They charged at them, their various weapons aimed for the kill.

"Don't underestimate them, they are soldiers." The steward warned, taking a few seconds to watch the fight before exiting the chambers and on his way out, activating a mechanism that shut down the place.

Handling those assassins wasn't the problem cause soon, they their corpses littered the floor. The real problem Alexander and Dina faced was that they were trapped with no way out. And to worsen things, white smoke began to deep in through some tiny pores on the wall, stuffing the place with poisonous gas.

"Cover your nose, don't inhale it." Alexander warned quickly. He looked around frantically and found a jar of water on the table.

He tore out a part of his clothing and soaked it in the jar of water. He took the damp material to Dina and tied it around her nose. He repeated the process and used it for himself.

"This is just a temporary measure. We need to find an exit and fast else, we'd die for real." Alexander said.

They both began to search. There wasn't even a window in the chambers.

"It's pointless." Dina grumbled, staggering slightly. The poison kept seeping in through those pores, concentrating, and the wet piece of clothes no longer served well.

"Hang on," Alexander caught her arm as she staggered. "I'll get you out of here."

He led her to sit while himself continued the search for an escape. His gaze darted to the wooden shelf nailed to the wall and his feet led him there. He reached for the compartment that held the supposed ledger the steward had showed him earlier, and he pulled it open. He picked up the book and flipped through the pages, a scoff escaping his lips. Indeed, it was no ledger he sort, just some irrelevant account book.

As he banged the compartment shut, some books on the shelf fell of their positions, revealing the bricked walls behind the shelf. It was unlike the rest part of the wall in the chamber. An idea suddenly occurred to him.

He began to press on the bricks, seeking a loose one, pushing down more books to reveal more of the wall. He glanced back at Dina to find her half conscious and he increased his pace of searching.

Alas! He found it. His hand pressed on a loose brick and the ground vibrated a little under his feet. The wall adjacent to the shelf crack and parted, revealing a dark passage. Just as he'd suspected.

He stepped back and rushed to Dina whose consciousness slipped away by the second, and helped her up.

"Come on, let's get out of here." With her hand drapped over his shoulder and most of her body weight leaned on him, he grabbed a candlestick and ventured into the dark passage.

Alexander walked fast, determined to get out into the open and clear their airways with fresh air. He they walked, Dina stepped on a loose tile and a trap mechanism activated.

Arrows flew out of the walls but Alexander shielded her with his larger frame, hugging her tight. A low groan escaped his lips as an arrow pierced his back.

When the arrows stopped firing, he pulled back only to find out that she'd passed out. "Camillo." He shook her but she was already unconscious.

He laid down the candlestick and scooped her in his arms, before picking up the candle to lighten their path.

He moved cautiously to avoid more traps, the arrow in his back inflicting pain that he swallowed, droplets of his blood leaving trails after them as he pushed forward.


At first, her eyelids twitched. And slowly, they parted. Blurred images filled her sight till they cleared seconds later. She sat up with a silent wince at the throbbing headache she felt.

She looked around to register her environment. She was back at Juno's Grandpa's place at the village. She tried to recall how she got there but only remembered getting trapped in that poisoned chamber. She couldn't recall how they escaped.

She glance ahead and froze at the sight. Alexander was seated close to the lit fire hearth, his back towards her and shirtless. He struggled to reach the arrow wound on his back and seeing this, she sprinted and snatched the wool from him.

"You're awake." He muttered.

Dina ignored him, her brows creased deep in worry. Chunks of blood soiled wools laid on the ground beside him. Just how much blood had he lost?

"How did you get this hurt?" She asked, her hands trembling slightly as she tend to the wound. It was then she recalled how he'd shielded her.

"It's a small wound. No need to worry." He said, a failed attempt to downplay his condition. He winced when she added pressure to the wound and more bad blood oozed out.

"You call this small?" She muttered under her breath, dumping the blood soaked chunk to grab a clean one.

When the bleeding finally stopped, she applied medicine and bandaged him up. "Why are you so careless? Blocking an arrow for me, are you stupid?" She scolded but there was no real bite to it. It was more of a concerned lamentation than an actual chastising.

"I'd take a hundred arrows for you if necessary." He said and she paused, looking up at his face. "I'll never let you get hurt again, as long as I breathe."

She exhaled sharply and attempted to straighten up but he held onto her wrist. "Camillo, I admit I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better part of me. You suffered in that dungeon and I should have done more to help you. I shouldn't have doubted you. Can you forgive me?"

"It's in the past." She muttered. "I was wrong too. I deceived you. I have no right to be angry about how you reacted."

"Then let's forget about the past and start anew, okay? No more secrets between us." His grip tightened just slightly.

And slowly, she nodded. For a moment they just stare at each other in a silent understanding.


TBC.
Unedited.