41. Chapter 41

Chapter forty-one

W ith her hand warmly enclosed in mine, our fingers naturally intertwined, I find myself lost in her beauty as we walk along the cobblestone path. Her hair flows like a dark river down her back, swaying gently with every step. The black summer dress she wears, dotted with bright yellow lemons, flutters gracefully around her ankles, and the smile on her face widens as she absorbs the lively atmosphere around us.

The sun hangs high in a cloudless sky, its golden rays bathing the park in a radiant glow. It's the kind of day that draws everyone out. The park is alive with the energy of people savouring the moment: children chase after footballs on the nearby field, dogs leap playfully in and out of the fountain, spraying water everywhere as their owners laugh, and groups of friends and families relax on picnic blankets, indulging in food and sunshine.

It's days like this that make me eager for the future. I can already see our child toddling along these cobbled paths, their tiny feet exploring the open fields, learning to ride a bike or kick a football, their laughter filling the air as a kite soars above them. I imagine us all sitting here, sharing ice cream and watching our lives unfold in this very park. This place will hold a lifetime of memories, and soon, those memories will begin to take shape.

"What are you thinking about?" Laelia's voice breaks through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.

I turn to her, my smile widening. "Just our future," I say, and I watch as a soft blush colours her cheeks.

"What about our future?" she asks, her free hand lightly resting on my arm as she steps closer.

We pause, and I let my gaze drift over the park. I point to a small hill in the distance. "I can see us sledding down that hill in winter, the snow thick and soft. Our child would be in front, one of us holding them close, steering the sledge as we all laugh on the way down." I gesture towards the field where kids are playing football. "I can see us teaching them to play, cheering wildly when they score their first goal." My eyes shift to the swaying flowers nearby. "I see them running through those flowers, their laughter ringing out as we chase after them." I nod towards the picnic blankets scattered on the grass. "I see us having picnics here regularly, watching our children run and play, and feeling nothing but gratitude for the life we've created."

I turn back to Laelia, my voice softening. "I see our life, how beautiful it is, and it makes me love you and our child even more. This life is ours, Laelia, and it's filled with endless possibilities."

Gently, I lift my free hand to cup her cheek, and she leans into my touch, her smile deepening as tears well in the corners of her eyes.

"God, I love you," she whispers, her voice filled with emotion.

"And I love you," I reply, my voice just as tender.

I lean in to kiss her, our lips meeting in a soft, lingering embrace before I pull back just a little, enough to see the joy lighting up her face. Her smile stretches even wider, and I kiss her again, my hand sliding from her cheek to the curve of her neck.

When we finally break the kiss, she opens her eyes, gazing deeply into mine. "I love the taste of your lips on mine," she murmurs.

I grin, feeling the warmth of her words. "The only problem is, if I kiss you again, I don't think I'll be able to stop," I admit, a playful tone in my voice.

She giggles, her eyes sparkling with happiness, and I lose myself in them, completely absorbed in the moment until something catches my eye. I glance to the side and notice a woman, likely in her late fifties, watching us. Her brows are furrowed slightly, her mouth parted as if in surprise, but as soon as our eyes meet, she quickly turns and walks away, leaving me alone with Laelia in this perfect moment.

After an hour of strolling through the park, basking in the warm sunlight, Laelia suggests we head to the top of the hill that overlooks our quaint town—a spot we cherish for its breathtaking view. The only way to reach it, though, is by passing through the old cemetery.

As I push open the small black gate, a shiver runs down my spine, and an eerie feeling washes over me, as if unseen eyes are watching. I'm aware of the presence of death all around, but there's something different this time—something feels unsettlingly off.

I hold the gate open for Laelia, and she steps through with a smile, her expression light and carefree. As the gate creaks shut behind us, we begin our slow walk along the narrow pavement, passing rows of headstones. Flowers lie at the foot of many, in various stages of life—some fresh and blooming, others wilting, and a few already withered.

Despite the bright sun overhead, the graveyard feels deserted, with no one else in sight. Yet, an unsettling sensation gnaws at me, as if the unseen eyes are watching from the shadows. I glance around trying to shake the feeling.

"Everything okay?" Laelia's voice pulls me back, and I turn to meet her gaze.

"Yeah," I reply, forcing a weak smile. "I just have this strange feeling like we're being watched."

"Oh," she murmurs, her brow furrowing slightly before she looks away.

We continue walking, and I do my best to brush off the lingering unease, focusing instead on the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the day.

"I can't wait to meet our little one and see the future we're going to have," I say with a smile, my thoughts drifting to the life ahead. I can already picture it—welcoming our baby into the world, watching them take their first steps, hearing their first words, and maybe even having more children. I feel like the luckiest man alive to have such a beautiful fiancée and a child on the way. Honestly, life can only get better from here.

"I couldn't wait either," Laelia replies.

Her words make me stop in my tracks. I turn to face her, taking in her appearance. The usual sparkle in her eyes has dimmed, and the radiant energy that always surrounds her seems to have faded, leaving behind someone who looks hollow, almost vacant.

"You mean can't, right?" I ask, my voice tinged with unease.

The way she looks at me sends a chill down my spine, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Something is off, and whatever she's about to say, I have a feeling I won't like.

"I mean couldn't," she says, her voice hesitant, almost regretful.

I blink rapidly, staring at her in disbelief. My mind races, struggling to make sense of her words. A creeping dread begins to take hold, but before I can respond, she speaks again.

"Remember, Killian," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's time you remember."

"Remember what?" I ask, my voice shaky as confusion and fear swirl within me.

She sighs a deep, sorrowful sound that echoes in the emptiness around us. "The accident, Killian. Remember the accident."

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and suddenly, it all comes flooding back. The memories I had buried deep within me, the ones I have refused to face—they surge forward, overwhelming me with their intensity.

Tears well up in my eyes as I look at her, finally understanding. "Laelia…" I whisper, my voice breaking.