Reborn To Love You

Ch.6: Confession

Alex slowly put down the spoon and fork in his hands.

The soft clink against the table sounded unusually loud in the quiet room.

Then...

He looked at her.

His eyes—

No longer calm.

They burned.

“Claire…”

“Hmmmm?”

She looked up.

And the moment their eyes met—

Her heartbeat lost its rhythm.

Fast.

Unsteady.

Something in his gaze—

Made it impossible to look away.

Alex stood.

Then walked toward her.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

Each step...

Closing the distance.

“I have something to tell you.”

His voice was low.

Too low.

By the time he stopped,

He was already beside her.

Close enough—

That she could feel his breath brush lightly against her ear.

Claire’s body stiffened.

A strange sensation ran through her...

From her spine, All the way to the top of her head.

Her mind blanked.

She took a deep breath.

Forced herself to stay calm.

“…What is it?”

“I saw your ex downstairs.”

Her lashes trembled slightly.

“…Okay.”

Alex’s gaze sharpened.

“Okay?” he repeated.

“Is it really over?. No turning back?”

Claire met his eyes.

“Yeah.”

No hesitation.

No lingering attachment.

And Alex saw it.

Something inside his chest loosened.

Relief.

Then with determination,

“Then…”

His voice dropped even lower.

“…can I?”

Claire blinked.

“…Can you what?”

His gaze locked onto hers.

“Can I be your man?”

Silence.

For a second...

Everything seemed to stop.

Claire felt her mind buzz.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Their eyes met—

And something unseen sparked between them.

The room was quiet.

Too quiet.

All she could hear, was her heartbeat.

Fast.

Loud.

Her breathing.

His breathing.

And the space between them..

Growing tighter.

“Answer me,” Alex said softly.

“What if I don’t?”

A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

Not anger—

But something deeper.

His gaze dropped...briefly...

To her lips.

The air turned heavy.

Claire swallowed.

Her throat dry.

But she didn’t look away.

“Then…”

Alex leaned in slightly.

“I’ll try harder".

His voice brushed against her senses.

“Until you’re willing.”

Her breath hitched.

Her heart, completely out of control now.

“Claire…”

This time,

Her name sounded different.

Deeper.

“I’ve loved you for a long time.”

His eyes softened, but the intensity didn’t fade.

“I don’t even know when it started. Maybe… it was the first time I saw you....A single glance—”

Claire’s fingers curled slightly.

“I thought everything would happen naturally. We’d grow up… stay close…

I’d confess one day....And you’d be mine.”

A faint, bitter smile appeared on his lips.

“But when I came back…You were already with someone else.”

Claire’s chest tightened.

“This isn’t impulse,” he continued.

“I waited for years, I just…”

His voice lowered.

“I don’t know if you’re willing to give me that chance.”

Silence.

Claire looked at him seriously.

“Alex… are you sure,,,What about my brother,,,He’s your best friend,,,What if he doesn’t agree?”

Alex didn’t hesitate.

“He already knows.”

“…What?”

“Your parents too.”

Claire froze.

“…They what?”

For a moment—

Her thoughts spiraled.

Was I the only one who didn’t know?

Why didn’t this happen before…?

Is this… because of the change in my fate?

She steadied herself.

Then she looked back at him.

“But…I just broke up with Drake yesterday.”

Her voice softened.

Alex didn’t look away.

“I don’t mind.”

And he meant it.

As long as...

She no longer loved that man.

That was enough.

Claire searched his eyes.

There was no hesitation.

No doubt.

Only sincerity.

And something else...

Something that had been there for years.

Waiting.

She exhaled slowly.

“…Okay.”

A small smile formed on her lips.

“Then I’m willing.”

Her voice was soft—But clear.

“I hope you’ll take good care of me, Mr. Alexander Moore.”

This time...

Her smile reached her eyes.

Real.

Genuine.

And that was enough to break the last thread of Alex’s restraint.

He stepped closer.

Then lowered his head.

Carefully.

As if afraid—

She might disappear.

His lips brushed against hers.

Soft.

A kiss he had held back for years.

Claire’s breath trembled.

A faint shiver ran through her.

“I’m so happy…”

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Their foreheads rested together.

Close.

Too close.

And yet—

Neither of them pulled away.

For the first time...

It felt right.