ONE NIGHT CHRISTMAS TO FOREVER

A Chance To Build Our Trust One More Time

SEAN.

I stood still in the center of the room, staring at Liana who stood in front of me with an expression full of anger and hurt. Her eyes were burning, and every word that came out of her mouth was like a bullet aimed straight at my chest.

"Why her?" she asked in a low, but stressful tone. "Of all the women out there, why did you have to choose her, Sean?"

I let out a long breath, trying to keep my composure. I knew this conversation was inevitable, but I never imagined how difficult it would be to deal with.

"Jennifer," I said quietly, hoping my tone would soften her anger a little. "It's not about who's better or who's more worthy. It's about feelings. And I..."

I paused, searching for the right words. I watched Jennifer watch me with a wounded look. A look that pierced my feelings, leaving me at a loss for words.

"I love her."

I saw how her face changed. There was a brief moment of shock, before returning with an even sharper expression than before.

"Love him?" she repeated, her voice rising a notch. "I'm the one who's always been there for you, Sean! I supported you through all your failures, all your doubts! And now you're standing here, blithely telling me that you love another woman?"

I averted my eyes, guilt enveloping me even though I knew I couldn't force something I didn't feel.

"I never meant to hurt your feelings," I said honestly. "You're important to me, Jennifer. But..."

"But not enough, right?" she cut in sharply. "I'm not enough for you. I'm just someone you can rely on, but never see beyond that."

I wanted to argue, wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that she was much more valuable than she thought. But I knew those words would only ring hollow in her ears.

"It's not about enough or not enough," I said finally. "It's about what I feel, and I can't lie to myself. I love Calista, Jennifer. And I know this is hard to accept, but I can't marry you just because I feel indebted."

She gave a short laugh, but there was no joy in it. "So it's about feelings, huh? Very funny, Sean. I should have known. Everything we've been through pales in comparison to the 'feelings' you have for her."

I sighed, feeling like I was talking to a wall that would never give way.

I sighed, feeling like I was talking to a wall that would never melt.

"I don't want this to become a war between us," I said. "I just want to be honest with myself and with you."

He gave me a long look, his eyes glassy but full of wounded pride.

I looked away immediately. The more I saw the hurt in her eyes, the more guilt choked me. I really couldn't lie to myself that I couldn't be with her.

If I forced myself to accept marriage with him, even though we'd been together for so long, I'd be hurting him, right?

"You think your honesty will make things better?" he asked softly. "You think I'll just forgive this?"

I didn't answer. No answer would satisfy her anger and pain.

He stepped closer, looking at me as if he wanted to engrave my face in his memory.

"You'll regret it, Sean," she said coldly. "She can never love you the way I love you. But don't worry, I won't be here to witness your destruction."

Her voice was cold, but I knew it came from a deep hurt. And before I could say anything, she turned and left, leaving the room with firm steps.

I stood still, feeling a strange emptiness. I knew I had made the right decision for myself, but that didn't make things any easier. Some choices always bring hurt, no matter how righteous the reasoning behind it.

***

I sat on the edge of the table, looking at my trembling hands, holding back the feelings that seemed on the verge of exploding. Calista sat across from me, her face expectant, as if waiting for an explanation from my lips. I already knew what she was going to say. We had talked about this marriage many times, but this time, it felt different.

"So, what do you want to say about this?" Calista's voice, soft, yet firm. She knew something was bothering me, and she wasn't about to let it go.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but Jennifer's image was still vivid in my mind. It wasn't just about feelings-it was about what she said that night, which seemed to stab straight to the heart.

"Jennifer doesn't agree," I said finally, my own hoarse voice sounding unfamiliar.

Calista paused, her eyes narrowing. "Jennifer?" she repeated, doubtful. "But you don't love her, do you? She was set up with you because she's the daughter of your family's business relations."

I nodded, but the doubt still haunted me.

"Yes, I know. But that night, he suddenly showed up at the door, and without further ado, he said, 'You can't marry Calista.'"

Calista was silent, her expression unreadable. I continued, "He said that I wasn't ready, that there was a part of me that had never really come out of his shadow. She even said I couldn't forget the past just by promising to move forward."

The atmosphere felt stiff, like the air around us had suddenly become too heavy. I looked at Calista, seeing how her face had changed. There was worry, maybe confusion, but in her eyes one thing was clear-she didn't want this doubt.

"And you... you believe what she said?" Calista's voice broke, sharper than I expected.

I shrugged, feeling helpless. "No, I don't know, Cal. I don't know what to think. I feel bad for her because her family helped my family a long time ago, but I can't hurt her by lying to myself."

Calista sighed, her hand grasping mine gently.

"I want you to be honest with me. If your feelings are still tied to the past, it's better to tell me now."

I bowed my head, guilt haunting me.

"I don't know what's going on inside me. But I want to try, Cal. I want us to go through this together. It's just... I'm afraid I can't completely let go of what's between me and Jennifer."

"So, you want me to back off?" her voice was low, full of doubt.

I paused, not knowing how to answer. The words were too heavy to say, yet my fragmented feelings left me no other choice.

I could feel the anxiety creeping through the air, as if every beat of my heart sounded loud in my own ears. Calista sat across from me, her eyes radiating an almost unbearable doubt. I knew I had to convince her. Not just with words, but with my whole heart.

"I have no doubts, Calista," I said, my voice lower than I would have liked.

I tried to look into her eyes, searching for a way that she could see the sincerity that was inside me.

"There's not the slightest doubt in me about us," I continued.

Calista frowned, her lips pulled inward. I could see how her mind was trapped in its own confusion. I wanted to reach out to her, reassure her with more than just words.

"You know what happened yesterday with Jennifer, right?" I continued, my voice getting steadier. "She did say that, she said I haven't completely let go of the past. But they were just words, Cal."

Calista bit her lower lip. Maybe she was worried that her presence would throw my life into chaos. After all, I rejected my family's arranged marriage.

That means I'm defying my family-who, Calista must know, are very powerful. Unfortunately, I didn't want to be constantly controlled by my family just because they had power.

"Words that even I don't believe myself. Because the truth is, I'm ready. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, not by being forced to accept him."

I paused, noticing how Calista's breathing had changed, slightly hitching. "You are the one I choose. There is no other."

I took a deep breath, placing both my hands on the table, coming a little closer, trying to reach her heart.

"I know I'm not perfect, and I know I still carry a lot of baggage. But one thing is for sure, Calista: I want to live my days with you. I want to build our life together, no matter what happens."

Calista paused for a moment, her eyes not leaving mine. I could feel the doubts in her heart starting to melt away, little by little.

"I can't just erase the past," I continued, "but I know that our future is more important. I want that future to be with you. Only you."

I reached for her hand, grasping it gently.

I took her hand, grasping it gently.

"I promise, there will be no room for doubt in this heart. I love you, Calista. And I will never stop choosing you."

He looked at me for a long time, as if trying to read my heart, searching for the truth in every word I said. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a faint smile began to appear on her face.

"You made me believe in you again," she said, her voice almost inaudible, but I could feel it. That smile, however small, was everything.