Reborn To Love You

Ch. 17: What If's

They walked away.

Claire didn’t look back.

Not even once.

Her steps were steady.

Certain.

Her hand—

Still holding his.

Firm.

As if there was nothing left behind worth turning to.

Alex glanced at her.

At her profile.

At the calm expression on her face.

And for a moment—he felt relief.

Because she chose him.

In front of Drake.

Without hesitation.

But right after that—

Something else followed.

A quiet, creeping thought.

What if…

His grip tightened slightly.

Not enough for her to notice.

But enough—

For him to feel it.

Because just days ago—that same hand—

Belonged to someone else.

And now...

It was his.

Too fast.

Too sudden.

Too unreal.

“…Are you okay?”

Claire’s voice pulled him back.

Alex blinked.

“…Yeah.”

A lie.

But a calm one.

Claire studied him briefly—then nodded.

“…Good.”

She didn’t press further.

Didn’t ask more.

And somehow—

That made it worse.

Back at Her Place

The door clicked shut behind them.

Silence followed.

Familiar.

But not the same as before.

The air felt heavier now.

With everything that just happened.

Claire slipped off her shoes casually...

Walking further inside.

As if nothing had changed.

As if, that confrontation didn’t shake her at all.

Alex stayed by the door.

For a second longer.

Watching her.

“…You’re really okay.”

He said quietly.

Claire turned slightly.

“…Why wouldn’t I be?”

Simple question.

But he didn’t answer right away.

Because he didn’t know how to say it.

Didn’t know how to ask—

How can you move on this fast?

How can you be so sure?

Instead, He walked closer.

“…You didn’t hesitate.”

Claire blinked.

“…About what?”

“Earlier.”

A pause.

“…With him.”

Claire understood.

“…There’s nothing to hesitate about.”

Her answer came easily.

Too easily.

Alex’s chest tightened.

“…Right.”

He nodded.

But something in his eyes,,,,

Didn’t match his words.

Claire noticed.

“…What is it?”

This time—she asked.

Direct.

Alex looked at her.

Held her gaze.

Then, looked away.

“…It just feels unreal.”

Honest.

Finally.

Claire’s expression softened slightly.

“…Unreal?”

He let out a quiet breath.

“A few days ago…You were still with him. And today…”

He looked at her again.

“You’re with me.”

No accusation.

Just truth.

“…It feels like I skipped something.”

Silence.

Claire didn’t answer immediately.

Because she understood what he meant.

Too well.

“…Are you regretting it?”

The question came out softer.

Careful.

Alex shook his head.

“No.”

Immediate.

Firm.

Then quieter—

“I’m just afraid.”

That—caught her off guard.

Claire stilled.

“…Afraid of what?”

Alex hesitated.

Then—

“…That you’ll change your mind.”

Claire looked at him…

Long.

Carefully.

Then,

She stepped closer.

“…Look at me.”

Alex did.

“…Do I look unsure?”

He studied her.

Her eyes, Clear, Steady.

“No.”

“…Do I look like I’m forcing myself?”

“…No.”

“…Then why are you doubting me?”

Her voice wasn’t harsh.

But it wasn’t soft either.

It was—

Certain.

Alex didn’t answer.

Because he didn’t have a good one.

Claire sighed softly.

“…You’re overthinking.”

She reached out—

Holding his hand again.

“…I don’t go back on my decisions.”

Her fingers tightened slightly.

“And I don’t choose lightly.”

Alex’s gaze dropped—

To their hands.

Then back to her.

“…Even if it was fast?”

Claire tilted her head slightly.

“…It wasn’t fast for me.”

That—

Made him pause.

“…What do you mean?”

Claire looked at him—

A faint smile forming.

“…Some feelings don’t start the moment you notice them.”

“They’ve been there.”

“You just didn’t realize.”

Alex’s breath caught slightly.

Because he understood.

Too well.

“…So stop thinking I’ll disappear.”

She said quietly.

“…I’m already here.”

Silence.

But this time—

It wasn’t heavy.

It was grounding.

Alex stepped closer.

Closing the distance between them.

“…You’re dangerous.”

Claire smiled faintly.

“…You’ve said that before.”

“…And I’ll say it again.”

His hand lifted—

Gently brushing her hair back.

“…Because you make me think things I don’t want to think.”

Claire looked at him.

“…Like what?”

Alex’s voice lowered.

“…Like how easily I could lose you.”

Her expression softened.

Then—

Without warning—

She leaned forward.

Resting her forehead lightly against his chest.

“…You won’t.”

Simple.

But firm.

Alex exhaled slowly—

His arms wrapping around her.

Holding her.

Not tight.

But enough.

As if reassuring himself—

That she was really there.

“…Stay like this for a bit.”

He murmured.

Claire didn’t resist.

“…Okay.”