Page 199 of Broken Destiny

“Don’t be,” I replied, shaking my head slowly. “I didn’t want to marry her either.”

“Why?”

The question lingered between us, simple yet loaded with years of unspoken emotion.

“How could I?” I stepped closer, my gaze locking onto hers. “When my heart came back here… with you.”

The truth settled over us like a quiet confession.

“I’m sorry about everything,” I said, my voice thickening. “I found out what my mother did this morning. The money, the photographs of Caroline and me, the letter, the lies… all of it. I’m sorry.”

Her lips parted slightly, but before she could speak, I gently pressed my finger against them.

“I’m sorry I assumed the worst again after promising I wouldn’t,” I continued quietly. “I’m sorry, I never let you explain. I’m sorry I threw the letter at you. And I’m sorry for being the biggest jerk?—”

Her lips brushed mine.

The rest of my apology disappeared the second she kissed me.

The contact was soft and tentative at first, yet it carried years of longing and forgiveness inside it.

I had missed this.

Missed her.

Her fingers slid into my hair as the kiss deepened slowly, naturally, until nothing else around us seemed to exist anymore, grounding me in a reality I had thought I lost forever.

By the time we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathing hard.

“I love you,” Jiya whispered.

The words settled into my soul, filling spaces I thought would remain empty forever.

I had waited so long to hear them—dreamed about them, prayed for them, wondered if I would ever be worthy of them again.

Those three words meant everything.

“It's only taken you four years and ten days to say it, but who's keeping count?” I said softly, cupping her face in my hands, memorizing every inch of her expression.

A slow smile curved across her lips.

“I never fail to surprise.”

The memory surfaced instantly—Jiya saying those exact words years ago at Elle’s parents’ house after she and Elle accidentally brokea stack of dishes in the kitchen.Even then, she had worn that same mischievous smile, that same spark in her eyes that had drawn me to her from the very beginning.

“Today seems full of surprises,” I said softly.

Unable to resist, I leaned in again and kissed her soft mouth, holding her close as if letting go would shatter the miracle unfolding between us.

This time, the kiss felt steadier and certain.

Certain of us.

Certain of love.

Certain of the future waiting just beyond this moment.

“Would you like another surprise?” she asked gently when we finally pulled apart.