EVE: A Short Unforgettable Love Story

Chapter Twelve

Isabella Madden POV

I used to love rain, but now I walked home and each step on the wet pavement felt like it drags my heart through a broken glass, it screams in pain. The pouring rain drenched me, mixing with my tears that now I can’t hold back. It hurts. My heart aches so much. Every memory we shared together crashes over me all at once. I wanted those memories to stay how precious they were, but all I could feel is this hollowness, crashing ache that settles on the deepest core of my heart. I turn on to my street seeing our house warm lights through the trees. I tightened my grip on to the wet bag that I didn’t even notice I was carrying for so long. I saw mom and dad on the porch, still up, probably waiting for their daughter to come home. The moment they saw me; they stood up instantly as they worriedly called my name. When I saw the look in their eyes and heard their voice, I just want to bury myself towards them, and cry.

“Mom, dad” I wept as I ran towards them and threw the bag. They responded with a tight embrace.” My belle” Dad uttered with so much worry. He rests his palm on the back of my head. I squeezed my arms around them even tighter. “I’m sorry, dad. I should’ve listened to you.” I said as I sobbed in tears. His big hands gentle as he cups my wet face. I can see the worry and sadness that radiates in his eyes, like he can feel every bit of my pain as if it was his own. Dad never said anything, he just buries me in his chest tightly and let myself fall apart completely in his embrace.

Kellan Porter POV

I’ve been standing outside Isabella’s house that exact night. My hands and knees kept trembling and my heart throbs from pain, because I knew I hurt her so much. I knew I messed up again. She saw what she saw, and there’s no way to make that image disappear. There’s no way to change the fact that I am more of an asshole than my father.

I knew I screwed up when I let Ezra kissed me. I was drunk, and it was the first time that I did that. I just feel like the world is against me after my father was arrested, and Isabella couldn’t go out because of me. Ezra came up to me after Liam told her what happened. I pushed her away but she always finds a way to push herself back-up. And that kiss? I have never expected that she would do that. I was stupid! I was an i***t! The guilt is eating me alive. The thought of Isabella shattered, feels like a knife twisting in my chest. It’s all my fault. And now, I’m standing outside their house, begging the universe to give me another chance to prove how much she matters to me.

Suddenly, I heard the door swings open, and slowly Mr. Madden went out. “Please, Sir. Let me talk to her.” I pleaded as I slowly approached him. He just gazed firmly at me, no words, just that frightening gazes of fathers after seeing their daughters hurt by a guy. He stared at me for what feels like forever, then he sat on the stairs of the porch, folded his hands tight on his lap, and I followed him. He stared straight at the horizon-perhaps waiting for my explanation. I know it was my moment to speak up. “I’m so sorry Sir. I know she’s in pain. I didn’t mean to hurt her.” My voice quavers and my eyes burning as the memories of her flashes back in my head. His eyes gaze harder yet steady straight, and I can see the anger in his jaw as it clenched tighter. I just dropped my head.

“You know… I have never seen her cried like that.” He spoke, firm, but I could feel the pain in his voice. My throat closes up and I have to swallow hard to keep myself from breaking down. “I know. I messed up. And I can’t undo what happened. But Sir, I do love your daughter. She’s the best thing that happened in my life.” I spoke, pouring everything on those words. He stared gloomy at me. “That’s scares me the most, when love became the main reason of pain, when it should’ve been the greatest thing that brings joy. Love isn’t supposed to hurt, Son. “He then stared back straight, then silently chuckled.” I remember, since she was a baby, she always smiles. It became her most beautiful feature. Even she sprained her knees from learning to drive her first bicycle, she smiles. Even she didn’t like her presents on her birthday, she smiles. Her smile is the first thing I looked forward on seeing after a tiring day at work, because her smile makes everything felt lighter. She makes our lives lighter. She was a gift, and we were gifted to have a daughter like her. So, seeing her for the first time sobbed in tears like that, it hurts me. I knew I had to protect her. I wanted that smile to stay with her forever.” He looks at me, with welling silent tears.” I can’t stand guarding over her heart forever. So, as long as I am still here, I will do what fathers do to protect their daughter.” Everything that he said breaks me. I drop my head into my hands, and the tears I’ve been holding back finally spill over, because I know what he truly meant and I have no right to defy that. I slowly nod, wiping my face with the back of my hand, accepting everything. “I’m sorry, Son. I know you both care with each other. But love itself isn’t enough. You’re both still young, there’s still other things to look forward for in life. Maybe, in the right time you’ll both find your way back with each other. And if that happens, don’t break her heart again. Promise me, you’ll protect her heart with everything you have. And promise me, you’ll do whatever it takes to bring that smile back to her face.” He spoke with such nuance, as if he was telling me a farewell. Every bit of me aches, because I know I need to leave her even though I didn’t want to. I just leaned on this hope, that maybe he’s right, maybe this wasn’t just our time, maybe someday we’ll be together again.