Chapter 67
Chapter 67
Reynold found himself standing in solitude on the balcony, his unwavering gaze captivated by the boundless expanse of the night sky.
Three days had passed since the solemn burial of Vivian, but the torrential onslaught of emotions within him remained relentless, showing no signs of subsiding.
Anger, sadness, and confusion intertwined, forming a tumultuous maelstrom that threatened to consume his delicate state of mind.
Releasing a weary exhalation, he looked up, yearning for solace amidst the familiar constellations that adorned the velvety canvas overhead.
Memories from childhood with Vivian came rushing back, immersing him in a wave of nostalgia.
One memory in particular resurfaced, vividly recounting the day when Vivian lost her mother to the same illness that would eventually claim her own life.
The scene unfolded in his mind, and on that day, they found themselves outside, much like now, their gazes fixed upon the starry night sky adorned with a multitude of shimmering stars, their hearts infused with wonder and a glimmer of hope.
Breaking the tranquil silence between them, Vivian shared the comforting words her mother had told her before her demise, revealing a belief that when she passed away, she would transform into a guiding star, watching over her from above.
The memory of Vivian's endearing smile and the innocent inquiry she had posed to him after that reverberated within his mind.
"Reynold, if I ever go away like my mommy and become a star, would you look up at the sky whenever you miss me?"
He solemnly nodded in response, clutching her petite hand tightly within both of his and assured her, "Of course."
A tear rolled down Reynold's cheek as he reminisced about their conversation, feeling the immense void in his heart caused by her death.
The tender memory of that night echoed within him, holding a deep significance.
At that moment, he felt a comforting warmth envelop him from behind, it was Clarissa.
She hugged him tightly, expressing empathy and comfort through her touch.
Rubbing his back gently, she understood the depth of his pain.
"I can't believe she's gone, Clarissa," Reynold said, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and anguish.
"Just like that," he added, frustration evident in his tone.
Clarissa embraced him even tighter, offering a gentle touch to reassure him.
"I understand," she whispered, her words filled with a promise of support and resilience.
"But you'll be okay," she assured, turning him to face her directly.
"We'll face this together," she said, her eyes expressing a confidence he believed in.
Reynold took a few deep breaths, releasing a shaky sigh as he gazed into her eyes, filled with unconditional love.
For a brief moment, he let go of everything else around him.
He set aside the grief that weighed heavily on his heart from Vivian's passing.
He momentarily forgot the pain Clarissa had caused him through her betrayal and simply immersed himself in the warmth of the woman he still deeply loved despite her actions.
Their lips moved slowly closer, and soon he felt the softness of her lips against his own.
A rush of joy coursed through Clarissa's body as the sensation enveloped her.
It felt as though Reynold was finally granting them a second chance, as
their lips mingled together in a long-awaited union, ignited by an instinctive response from Reynold.
He willingly surrendered himself to the embrace of their overdue kiss, letting the pent-up emotions guide his actions.
As Clarissa drew nearer, the magnetic pull between them grew stronger.
Reynold's arms automatically encircled her waist, pulling her closer and deepening the passion they shared.
At that moment, their connection intensified, fueled by the undeniable chemistry that had always lingered between them.
The kiss grew more passionate, fueled by their shared longing.
In an invitation for deeper exploration, Clarissa parted her lips slightly, enticing Reynold to delve further.
His hands roamed across her body, delicately caressing every inch of exposed skin.
A soft moan escaped Clarissa's lips, her hands finding their way to Reynold's hair, entwining in its ebony strands.
However, abruptly and unexpectedly, he broke away, retreating.
Her arms then dropped limply to her sides, disappointment etched across her face as she stared at him, though she refrained from uttering a single word.
Reynold swallowed hard, averting his gaze from hers, as his chest rose and fell rapidly, as if he had just completed a marathon, betraying the intensity of his emotions.
"I shouldn't have done...I'm sorry." He muttered breathlessly.
"But why?" She questioned, her voice barely a whisper, as she fought against the sting of heartbreak threatening to consume her.
Reynold paused, his gaze avoiding hers, searching for the right words. "We shouldn't be doing this..." his voice trailed off, the weight of their situation evident in his demeanor.
Her arms crossed protectively over her chest, she challenged him, desperately trying to push past the pain.
"Why shouldn't we?..." Her voice carried a mixture of frustration and hurt.
Incredulously, he met her gaze, his brows furrowing as if she were intentionally ignoring the reality of their circumstances.
"Because we're getting a divorce, Clarissa," his words were cold, devoid of compassion or emotion.
Her jaw clenched in response to his blunt announcement, struggling to maintain her composure before him.
With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, his bitterness evident.
"We shouldn't continue down this path if we're still heading for separation. It will only make the entire process more challenging for everyone involved," he explained, his voice trailing off.
His tone softened, taking on a hint of sympathy.
"Especially you," he added, acknowledging the pain and disappointment he saw in her eyes.
"I thought you forgave me... and agreed to give us another chance?" She asked, her voice faltering.
Reynold hesitated, meeting her eyes, aware of the effort she was making to suppress her emotions but the pain in her eyes and her body language betrayed her attempts.
"I did forgive you, Clarissa," he admitted, his voice gentle.
"But I don't know if we have another chance," he confessed, causing her shoulders to slump and defeat to etch itself upon her face.
"And I believe that creating some space between us until the divorce is finalized will help us move on more easily," he suggested calmly, though his own words felt hollow to his ears.
With those words hanging in the air, he stepped back and turned away, leaving her standing there, tears welling in her eyes.
Clarissa hastily wiped the tears that had fallen to her cheeks, striving to compose herself.
She took a deep breath and forced a small smile to appear on her face, even though her heart was heavy with sorrow.
Standing there, gazing at the vast expanse of the night sky, she sought solace in the enigmatic darkness that mirrored the turmoil within her.
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