Chapter 407: A Second Chance
Tears welled in Clifford’s eyes as he stared at her, torn between fear and admiration. He knew she was right, this was who Kelly was. Her faith was her foundation, and her courage came from her unwavering trust in God.
He cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to spill down her cheeks. "Will you let me decide for myself, Cliff, and trust whatever decision I make?" Kelly asked him with a smile.
He didn’t know how she could do that smile reassuringly at him even now. And that was when it hit him: he must respect her decision and do his best to support her. He closed his eyes, finding the strength to accept her choice.
Then he felt Kelly’s body against his. She was hugging him tightly, so he instinctively wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "If this is what you truly believe is right, then I’ll stand by you. But promise me, Kelly... promise me you’ll let me be there for you every step of the way."
"I promise. We’ll walk this path together," she replied softly. They hugged each other, their silent cries mingling, and Clifford didn’t know how long they stood like that. All he knew was Kelly’s comforting warmth as she whispered, "Everything will be fine, Clifford."
After a few more moments, Kelly broke the hug, pulling away while staring into his face. They wiped the tears from each other’s cheeks.
Taking a deep breath, Kelly turned back to the maze. "Now... left, right, or straight?"
Clifford chuckled, a bittersweet smile breaking through his emotions. "Wherever your faith leads you, Mrs. White, I’ll follow."
She smiled, squeezing his hand as she chose a path. With Clifford by her side and her faith as her guide, Kelly took the first step, trusting that God would light the way, both through the maze and in the journey that lay ahead.
*****
At Lancaster Mansion