Forver Mine

Season 01, Chapter 11

Season 01, Chapter 011

The day had started off well. I was returning to the city with a clear mind and newfound ambition. The company I had just invested in seemed promising, and I was heading to an important meeting with the satisfaction of knowing my career was finally taking a serious turn. But as soon as I walked into the meeting room, I saw her—Chloé. She was there, sitting at the other end of the table, like a shadow from the past that I had never really been able to erase. Our eyes met as I entered, and in a fraction of a second, everything came rushing back to my mind, each memory finding its place. What did I feel at that moment? It was a mix of surprise, anger, and, I admit, a certain buried pain.

I stayed focused during the meeting—or at least I tried. But I felt her gaze on me several times, as if she were trying to understand what I was doing there. When the meeting ended, I did everything I could to leave as quickly as possible. I didn’t want to confront the past I had worked so hard to forget. But she caught up with me in the hallway.

Chloé: Ethan, wait!

I stopped, even though every part of me was screaming to keep walking. She came towards me, visibly upset.

Chloé: What are you doing here? Why did you come back?

I had to keep my composure. I didn’t want to explode, I didn’t want to show how much her presence could still affect me.

Ethan: I didn’t come back for anything, Chloé. This return has nothing to do with you. I’m here for my business, for my own goals. Nothing more.

I tried to sound indifferent, but I could see that my words hurt her. It was as if she was searching for something in me, something that no longer existed.

Chloé: You know very well what I mean… Why this company? Why come back into my life?

Ethan: Honestly, Chloé, I had no idea you were involved here. And honestly, it doesn’t change anything for me. What I’ve decided to do with my life is my choice alone. You made yours a long time ago.

Her eyes darkened, and I knew I had hit a nerve. But it was the truth. She had chosen her path, and I had chosen mine.

Chloé: Ethan, I…

Ethan: No, Chloé. You made your decision. You let me go; you chose comfort and security over… us. So don’t ask me why I’m here. It doesn’t concern you anymore.

I wanted to leave, really. But she held me back, this time with tearful eyes.

Chloé: Ethan, I never stopped thinking about you. Every day, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had made a different choice.

At that moment, I hesitated. I felt an old pain resurfacing, but I couldn’t let myself go there.

Ethan: It’s too late, Chloé. I’ve learned to live without you. And believe me, I didn’t come back to relive what I’ve already overcome.

I turned away, ready to leave this place and leave this story behind me. But deep down, I knew that this encounter wouldn’t be the last. There are always invisible threads that tie us to the past, and despite everything I had said, a part of me knew it wasn’t completely over.

I walked away, leaving Chloé standing there at the entrance of the company, with an expression of despair and regret that followed me. I needed to find my space, to distance myself from this past that threatened to engulf me. I returned to my car, a knot in my stomach, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to erase this encounter anytime soon.

As I drove home, I thought back to everything we had shared, to the broken promises, the shattered dreams. The streets passing by seemed almost symbolic, each corner and each light recalling a painful memory.

When I arrived home, I found some comfort in my daily routine. I took a moment to sit down, to reflect on what had just happened. But every time I closed my eyes, Chloé’s face appeared, with her sad eyes and expression full of remorse.

Later in the evening, as I tried to immerse myself in work to forget, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Mia, asking how I was doing. I called her and asked if we could meet. Her presence had always been a source of support for me, and I knew that talking with her could help clear my thoughts. She was very happy to learn that I was finally back, and we agreed to meet at a small café. She was already there, with a smile that contrasted with the heaviness I felt.

Mia: And here comes the handsome guy who knows how to make my heart race. Welcome back to us. I hope the people abroad didn’t… well, welcome back.

Ethan: Thank you!

Mia: So, how did today go?

Ethan: You don’t really want to know, Mia. It was… complicated. I ran into someone from the past.

Mia observed my expression, reading the unspoken pain in my eyes. She took my hand and squeezed it gently.

Mia: I’m sorry you had to go through that again. But you’re here now. You need to focus on what you want for your future.

Ethan: Easier said than done. It feels like everything I tried to leave behind always comes back to haunt me.

Mia: Sometimes, you have to face those demons to move forward. You can’t change the past, but you can decide how it influences your present.

Mia squeezes my hand a little tighter, her eyes searching mine with a newfound intensity. There is a moment of silence between us, heavy with meaning, before she takes a deep breath.

Mia: Ethan, there’s something I need to tell you… something I’ve been holding onto for a long time.

I look at her, surprised by the seriousness in her voice. She looks away for a moment, as if gathering her courage, then fixes her gaze on me again, this time with a clear expression.

Mia: I’ve always loved you, Ethan. From the very beginning. (Her voice trembles slightly.) Even when you were… Even when life separated us, my feelings for you never changed. I tried to ignore them, to bury them, but they are still there. In my heart, and I feel them over and over again, this feeling.

I remain silent, absorbing what she just said. Everything about her breathes honesty and vulnerability. She continues, without breaking eye contact.

Mia: I’m not telling you this to complicate your life, or to put more pressure on you. I just want you to know that you’re not alone. No matter what you’re going through, no matter the ghosts of the past that haunt you, I’m here. And I’ll always be here because I love you, truly, sincerely, always.

Her words resonate within me, like a confession I had been waiting for without realizing it. There is something comforting, almost soothing, in the way she expresses her feelings, without expecting an immediate response from me.

Mia: … I’m not asking you to respond right away, or even to feel the same way. I just wanted you to know. You matter to me, Ethan. More than you can imagine.

After our conversation, time passes quickly. The sky begins to darken, and I feel it’s time to go home. I leave Mia with a final smile, then head back home. While driving, I’m drawn to the memory of the sea, that calm expanse that has always been able to soothe my troubled mind. I decide to stop near the coast, where the waves gently crash onto the shore.

I walk towards the boat that Lucas found for me that day, the day of Chloe’s birthday. The memory of that day is still vivid in my mind as if it happened just 24 hours ago. Once on board, I release the rope that holds the boat to the dock, and head towards the cabin. I start the engine and begin to move away from the city, leaving the flickering lights behind to embrace the absolute calm of the sea. A little way out, I cut the engine, allowing the silence of the sea to engulf me. I stay there, at the stern, contemplative, listening to the waves gently lapping against the hull of the boat. Inevitably, my thoughts return to Chloe. I start speaking out loud, my words floating in the night air.

Ethan: Chloe… I still love you, despite everything. Despite the time that has passed, despite the distance and the wounds. My love for you is still there, alive, burning… I’ve tried to move on, but you remain anchored in my heart, like an indelible scar. (The words come out of me with a bittersweet pain, a confession I’ve never dared to make before) Every day, I wonder what my life would be like if things had been different, if I could have kept you close to me… My heart still searches for you, even in my wildest dreams. You’re everywhere I go, in every breath I take…

Suddenly, a loud noise pulls me out of my thoughts. I turn just in time to see something, or rather someone, fall into the water. I jump in to save them, diving into the cold darkness of the sea. Underwater, my eyes meet Chloe’s. She struggles to stay afloat, fighting against the waves. I quickly swim towards her, grab her, and help her back on board the boat.

Out of breath, we catch our breath, our wet clothes clinging to our skin. I look at her, my heart pounding, unable to believe what just happened.

Ethan: Chloe, what were you doing here? Why were you on the boat?

Chloe: Today is my birthday, Ethan. And for the past five years, since you left, I’ve spent it here, on this boat. I came here every year to watch the same movie we watched that day. I wanted to feel close to you, even though you weren’t here. Tonight, I heard you talking, I heard how you felt… I never stopped loving you, Ethan. Not for a single day.

Her words hit my heart like a gentle yet powerful wave. I move closer to her, my hands searching for hers. Our fingers intertwine naturally, as if they were always meant to find each other.

Ethan: Chloe… You have no idea how many times I’ve regretted letting you go, how many nights I’ve spent wondering if you still felt something for me. Seeing you again tonight… it’s like fate is offering me a second chance. I love you, Chloe. I’ve always loved you.

Chloe: You’re everything I never wanted, Ethan. Despite everything we’ve been through, despite the pain, I’ve never been able to get you out of my heart.

I gently caress her cheek, wiping away a tear that rolls down her skin.

Ethan: If the past separated us, maybe the future will bring us together. I don’t want to lose you again, Chloe. I want us to build something new, together, here and now.

Chloe: We’ve been through so much, but if we’re still here, it’s because our love is stronger than anything. I want to be with you, Ethan, for the rest of my life.

I gently pull her against me, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. The silence of the night surrounds us. Under the starry sky, on this sea that has witnessed so many of our memories, I take a deep breath and

Ethan: Wait, do you think you’re in a soap opera? You broke my heart, remember?

Chloe: Ethan…

Ethan: Five years ago, I stopped loving you. Because you decided. You chose Ryan over me. For reputation, for money. You have happiness with him.

Chloe: Ethan, you’re hurting me. You know I’ve only ever loved you!

Ethan: You, love me? That’s a good laugh. (Smiling)

To be continued…

Forever mine, by Saint Daniel.