Chapter 173
Jean froze. Her words stopped him cold, like someone had punched all the air out of his lungs.!!
Yeah. She was right. She hadn’t made it because of him, she made it despite him. He had never saved her. All he had ever done was fail her, over and over again.
His shoulders dropped. For a second, he just stood there, like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Then he covered his face with one hand, his voice rough and low. “I wanted to save you. I really did. I got three chances and every time, all I wanted was to protect you. But I was always too late. “8
If this had been before, before the lies, before everything fell apart, those words might’ve broken her. She might’ve run into his arms without a second thought.
But now, Samira looked at him, her face unreadable. “And what does that change?” she asked, her tone flat. “When I needed you most, you looked the other way. I don’t need your help anymore, I saved myself. So what exactly are you here for?”
Jean winced, like every word was a hit to the gut. He stepped closer, almost desperate. “Samira, I’m sorry. I was wrong, so wrong Luna lied to me, twisted everything. I was a fool. I’ve known it since the first life. I regret all of it. If I could go back and choose differently. I would ”
He swallowed hard. “Please, just give me one chance. Let me make up for it. I do anything ”
His voice cracked, full of guilt and longing. But Samira didn’t flinch. She just looked at him, tired and steady
People always realize what they had when it’s gone,” she said quietly. “But i’m not here to fix your regrets, Jean. That’s not my job. I like
where I am now. I’ve moved on.“8
She took a step back, her voice firmer now. “Whatever redemption you’re chasing, it’s not gonna come from me. I don’t care what you do, just stay away from me. I mean it.”
Jean’s heart twisted. He quickly looked up, shaking his head. “There’s nothing going on with Luna anymore. She’s already paid the price. I’m not looking for anyone else, I only want you.”
His voice cracked and when he looked at her, there was something desperate in his eyes. Bent forward like that, with his hands clenched and shoulders hunched, he reminded Samira of a stray dog begging to be taken in. It almost made her laugh.
How could Jean, of all people, be the one to think like that?!
She let out a cold chuckle. “Whatever is going on with you, that’s your problem, not mine. Just don’t show up in front of me again.”
She turned without waiting for a response, heading back toward the field. Jean stood there watching her go, his hands twitching like he wanted to grab her, but he didn’t move.
He knew better. Chasing after her now would only push her further away. She was here, she hadn’t vanished again. That was enough, for
now.
Samira didn’t go straight hom
home. She lingered on the ridge for a few minutes, letting the wind cool her down. A little while later, Yosef finished up and jogged over 8.
“Let’s head back,” he said, brushing dirt off his hands.
Samira gave him a curious look. “That was quick. You done already?”
“There wasn’t much left to do,” he said casually, avoiding eye contact.
4
She didn’t press, but she noticed how quiet he was on the walk home. Normally, he would be talking about work or cracking jokes. Today. he was silent
After a minute, she glanced sideways at him. “You good? You’ve been weirdly quiet.“3
Yosef hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck like he was debating saying anything. Then he finally asked, “That guy earlier. Jean, right? What’s he doing here? Are you two still… involved?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted it. “Sorry. That sounded like I’m interrogating you.”
Samira didn’t take it that way. She smiled faintly. “No worries. I get it. But no, there’s nothing between me and him. Whatever he’s after, I’m not part of it.”
Yosef caught the edge in her voice when she said Jean’s name. That was all the answer he needed. His mood visibly lifted and just like that, the silence melted away. He was back to being his usual self
