Chapter 38: Are you her real son?
Rena stepped forward, her boots crunching against the cold ground.
She stood before Jaenor, silent, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. Her lips parted, but no words came—only the soft tremble of breath between them.
She had always believed—childishly, foolishly—that one day he’d be hers. That they’d grow up, marry, and raise children in the same village where they once played. But deep down, she knew her dreams had always clashed with her ambition. And now the road was calling her elsewhere.
To power. To destiny. Away from him.
Jaenor reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His hand lingered on her cheek, warm against her cold skin.
"It’s all right," he said, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. "You always wanted to go to the Coven. To become a witch. I guess... it was written."
Rena threw her arms around him, clinging to the boy she once thought would be her future. "You’ll always be in my heart, Jaenor," she whispered.
He held her close, his hand running gently down her back. "I know," he murmured. "I know."
He knew he loved her, but he hadn’t been faithful to her, and he thought he didn’t have the right to hold her back from achieving what she wants.
It was as simple as that. Though seeing her leave would pain him, but, it is what it is.