Chapter 240 - 26: A part of you
The cold wind bit at Killian’s cheeks as he wandered aimlessly through the snow-covered streets. His breath came out in puffs of air. The streets were dressed in festive holiday decorations, warm lights twinkling overhead, casting a glow over the city as dusk began to settle.
It should have been beautiful, magical even, but the joy of the season only deepened the ache in his chest. He had no destination in mind; he just needed to walk, to get away from the café, from the confrontation with Geraldine...from Nathaniel.
But the latter was so inconsiderate of his feelings to the bitter end, following him like a dog.
Killian could hear his footsteps in the snow, close behind him, the sound of someone who wasn’t willing to let him go just yet.
He didn’t turn around. He didn’t want to face him.
The sting of Geraldine’s words was still fresh, and worse yet, the pain of seeing Nathaniel standing there, knowing he was the cause of it all, was unbearable.
Finally, Killian stopped. His eyes fell on the glass of a nearby shop window, where their reflections stood side by side, a fractured image of what could never be.
Killian’s breath caught in his throat as his heart clenched. He had once imagined a future where they would be standing like this—side by side, together, perhaps looking into the same window during the holiday season, sharing quiet moments of joy. But that dream was dead now, buried beneath layers of deceit and heartache.
Behind him, Nathaniel shifted, sensing Killian’s turmoil but not daring to speak.
The snow began to fall more heavily, and as Killian stared at their reflection, he felt something shift behind him. He didn’t move; he didn’t even flinch as though he was too exhausted to even care when Nathaniel’s hands gently touched his shoulders.
A moment later, a soft warmth wrapped around his neck.