Dominic stood at Serena’s doorstep. He soft expression on face. Even though lot had happened b een them, he was with hope. Meanwhile, Serena’s were fixed on the man who was standing in front of her. The who taught her what love was. There was a time when she couldn’t imagine her without him. it seemed like there was a that had them. “Serena,” Dominic’s echoed. His tone was steady but filled with remorse, “I I’ve made uncountable mistakes. But things. have changed now. Rosa, no more violence. just want to give a fresh start to us. ” Serena her arms, her heart racing as conflicting emotions. surged through her. She always imagined that moment–the day. Dominic would finally say everything she to hear. when was truly happening, she didn’t feel thrill anticipation inside her heart. “Dominic,” she softly, staring at him, “I’ve waited for so long. But time, something pulls you into that world. Even Rosa is gone. Still, it doesn’t change the past. been hurt and over. ” stepped closer. were just step away from touching other. I t undo what’s happened. I I’ve you a lot. But am willing to change, Serena. I already have. I just one more chance prove to you. ” For a moment, Serena closed trying block out rush memories. The happy moments d the chaos, love, the betrayal. Every part of her wanted believe that Dominic was change. She wanted that it would be their new beginning. But something inside her heart told her it wasn’t that simple. She opened her eyes, the weight of her pressing down on her. “I can’t, Dominic. can’t go back to life. if you‘ re free now, the scars are there. I want to stay away. ” 174 to There an indescribable expression Dominic’s face, but he didn’t argue. Deep he also knew that it was the truth. As uch he wanted. to fight for her or he couldn’t deny the fact past had left too wounds. “What are you going do?” asked quietly. Serena took a deep breath, finally, she was going on the decision which she took a few days ago. “I’ve into a master’s abroad. It’s I’ve always wanted to and now… I think it’s time for to focus myself. find out I am without you, without all of this. – Dominic’s eyes widened slightly. A feeling of surprise flashed his face. “You‘ re leaving?” “I think it’s the thing for both of us,” Serena said, her voice firm. “We’ve stuck in all this for too long. It’s time to free. ” For a long moment, they stood in silence, more deep as if reality of her words were sinking in. Dominic had always been one to decisions, to control situation, now, he had choice but to accept that Serena was making her path. The one that didn t include him. “I Dominic said finally, his voice sincere. want you to happy, Serena. Even if it without me. She nodded, ached. That was the end their story. somehow it tragedy a new beginning. In the next Serena was packing, finalizing details departure. The had stopped, and was gone. The painful fact Dominic’s presence which had faded from her life. But something still lingered. The feeling of being watched. Now and would a glimpse men in lurking in the shadows, always nearby but never approachine Chapter 10 it bothered but after a while, she they weren‘ t there to harm her. They were Dominic’s men, keeping their but she was safe. It was way of protecting even from afar. She never acknowledged them, confronted them. If it would Dominic happy, then she would let him do that. On her last night in the Serena found herself by the river, the fireworks burst across the sky. The colors reflected off creating beautiful display. seemed like marked the of one chapter and the beginning of another. At that moment, she saw a familiar face. It was Dominic. He was standing a feet away, the fireworks just like she was. For moment, they stood in silence, lost thoughts. In weeks, was their first meeting. They were close, yet the distance. them than ever. “Fireworks reminded me of said quietly, his eyes fixed the sky. Serena smiled faintly, the night when he had tried to her back with private fireworks display. It like a lifetime ago. “They‘ re beautiful,” she said softly. “They are,” Dominic agreed, peeking at her the corner of eye. guess is goodbye, then. Serena nodded her head in whispering, “Yeah, it is. ” Dominic didn’t try to her to stay. They both knew that it right choice, no matter hard it was. The love they had shared, the connection they once so brightly. It faded into something complicated. was still there, buried beneath the hurt and the chaos, but now it the time to reignite. The moment the the fireworks exploded in the sky, Dominic a back, giving her one last look. “Take of Serena,” he said softly. 13-22 Chapter 16 too, she replied, her voice steady. Without turning Dominic away. Serena saw his retreating figure. heart heavy but peace. That was the ending which both needed. clean a chance to start over, separately. As she stood there, and the last of the fireworks fade into the darkness, Serena that she had made the right choice. A beginning awaited her, and that time, it was hers alone. The You might also