Page 134 of Broken Destiny

Lucas’s words were simple, yet painfully honest.

Caleb’s jaw ticked as he shifted his gaze away for a brief second before speaking again.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Maybe I’ll see you guys at the wedding.”

“Sure,” Lucas replied with a small shrug.

I could see the disappointment in Lucas’s face as he lowered his eyes to his bowl, pushing the cereal around without eating. Emma remained unusually quiet, watching Caleb with wide eyes.

“Can I get a hug at least?” Caleb asked softly.

Both children climbed down from their chairs and wrapped their arms around him. He held them close for a few seconds before gently guiding them back to their seats.

Milo and Oreo padded into the kitchen, tails wagging slowly as if they sensed the heaviness in the room.

Caleb crouched down and scratched behind their ears.

“Guess this is goodbye for now, huh?” he murmured.

Milo nudged his hand while Oreo pressed against his leg affectionately.

Caleb stood slowly and turned toward Geeta.

“It was nice meeting you. Take care of the children and yourself.”

“You too,Bhaiya,” she replied.

He nodded once and walked toward the door.

I stood frozen in the same spot, unable to move, unable to speak.

He did not look at me as he left, taking the broken pieces of my heart with him.

38

JIYA

Aweek had passed since Caleb left after hurling those cruel words at me, yet the ache inside my chest had not eased.

I buried myself in work at the restaurant, the cafés, and the city construction project, but my thoughts kept drifting back to him.

Everything reminded me of Caleb—the docks, the village, my home, the restaurant, even my children.

I had survived heartbreak before, but this was more brutal and agonizing than anything I had ever endured, my broken heart refusing to heal.

Standing in front of Cole’s grave on Friday morning, I told him everything.

“I’m sure you already know,” I said softly. “You know my side of the story. You know the truth. How in God’s name could he think those things about me? Did he not know me at all? After spending so much time together, how could he say such... such horrible things?”

Tears rolled down my cheeks again as the memory resurfaced. I wiped them away with the back of my hand, sniffling.

“I guess I’m not meant to have love in my life,” I whispered with atired sigh. “Every time I love, I lose. I should have figured that out by now.”

I bent down and pressed a gentle kiss against the cool stone, just as I always did before leaving.

“See you again in a couple of days. Give my love to Eva and Chloe.”

Fourteen months had passed since his death, yet I still missed him.