CHAPTER 5
1082 Words
CHAPTER 5
Christopher faced Zara's father, feeling a strong determination building inside him as the man looked at him angrily. Despite the rising tension, Christopher stood firm. “You will never be good enough for my daughter!” the man yelled, filled with deep dislike.
A flash of anger shot through Christopher, but it didn’t distract him. His heart beat only for Zara. “The only one who could ever make me leave Zara is Zara,” he said firmly. “If she wants me to go, then I’ll go. But until then, no one can stop me.”
He moved a bit closer to Zara, looking into her eyes for a sign of understanding or the love they used to share. But she pulled back, making the space between them feel heavy like he was a lost ship and she was an ocean. The pain stopped him, but he kept looking at her. “Zara…” he began, his voice shaky. But she didn’t reply, and her face was hard to read.
“Just—just go!” Her words cut through the air, strong but shaky. “I need some time to think.”
He felt sad as he saw her turn away, tightly holding their daughter, Lily. The little girl looked at him with big, puzzled eyes, unaware of the trouble around them. Zara’s shape faded until she vanished through the door.
A smirk appeared on Zara's dad's face, showing his satisfaction. “Now, hurry up and leave Lewis, or you’ll wish you hadn’t!” His contempt was clear, and as he spat on the ground by Christopher's feet, all the relatives behind him laughed mockingly. “Do you believe you fit in here?”
Julian moved forward, fists tight, ready to protect his friend. Christopher held up his hand. “No, Julian. Just let it go. I’m not here for them.” He breathed heavily, struggling with his feelings as he turned away.
Feeling sad, Christopher and Julian started to walk away. The laughter of Zara's family echoed in their heads, cruel and mocking. “Did you see that? How did he crawl back?” one family member mocked.
“Maybe he thinks he can just walk back into their lives after being away for so long,” another said. Their mean taunts hurt him deeply, but Christopher kept looking down, wiping his face, trying to control the wave of regret inside him.
When he stepped outside into the cool night air, the bright moonlight surrounded him in a gentle glow that felt almost dreamlike. He could barely understand what had just happened inside, where feelings ran strong and words were spoken that hurt more than any cut.
Zara had told him to go, and hearing that felt like a knife digging painfully into his heart, a sharp hurt that stayed long after the words were said. He understood, maybe more than he wanted to, that he was partly to blame for this mess, that he had a hand in breaking the closeness they once had.
“Hey, I’m sorry. They have no right to treat you like that,” Julian said, sounding both sympathetic and angry. He tightened his jaw, promising to protect Christopher from more hurt. “You didn’t do anything wrong it's not your fault.”
“Didn’t I?” Christopher said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, showing the inner conflict he felt. “I left her... I left them both.”
He swallowed hard, trying to hold back the regret as memories of why he left rushed into his mind—his choice to join the army and the heavy secrets he carried.
He decided not to tell Zara, knowing she wouldn’t understand the complicated reasons behind his decision, the mix of duty and longing that made him choose this path.
“Don't blame yourself,” Julian said firmly, moving closer and leaning his shoulder against Christopher's side to show support. “You care about her, and that's what counts right now. Don't let anyone tell you different.”
Before Christopher could reply, a loud noise interrupted them, and the clear sound of fast footsteps caught their attention. Mr. Hermit showed up, his face twisted into a sneering grin that made Christopher uneasy. “Going away so quickly, Christopher? And to think, a man like you wants to rush back to my future daughter-in-law.”
Julian gave him a hard stare, his fists clenching with barely-held anger. “Do you think this is funny?” he said, his voice filled with anger.
Christopher stepped forward without thinking, shaking his head to show calm. “It’s fine, Julian,” he said, keeping his voice even. “We don’t have to talk to him. He’s not worth our time.”
“Oh, but I believe we do.” Mr. Hermit said, stepping too close and poking Christopher hard in the chest. “Do you see how that girl looks at you? Sad. Maybe you should be grateful I found someone who can help her.”
“Why don’t you just quit?” Christopher shouted, struggling to keep calm. “You know nothing about me or what I want.” His words poured out, filled with anger and anxiety.
“Intentions? Ha! I heard you left them behind for the army. That's pretty bold.” Mr. Hermit mocked, his laughter sounding cruel. “But don't worry, dinner’s on me tonight. I'll pay to help Zara forget someone like you.”
Suddenly, something inside Christopher broke. He had kept quiet for way too long, putting up with this man’s mockery and disrespect. In a quick, strong move, he threw his fist, hitting the man hard in the stomach.
The hit surprised them both, and Mr. Hermit stumbled back, shock turning into anger, holding his belly in disbelief. “You’re going to regret that!” he panted, but Christopher didn’t feel scared anymore a strong sense of purpose lit up inside him, giving him new bravery.
Just as he was about to make the fight worse, something caught his attention—a quick movement that made him look away. There, nervously standing on the balcony above the chaos, was Zara, her face showing both surprise and sadness.
She held Lily and the little girl's smile disappeared when she looked at her mom, feeling the heavy tension around them.
Disappointment washed over Zara like a dark cloud, her eyes full of clear pain and confusion, cutting through Christopher....
- Writer
