Page 115 of Broken Destiny

We were all in a park, surrounded by sunlight and laughter. Eva stood nearby, smiling warmly, while Chloe ran across the grass. My children played beside her, their tiny hands reaching for one another as if they had known each other forever.

I found myself talking to Eva as though we were old friends, our conversation flowing easily.

Then Cole walked toward me.

He took my hand gently and guided me a few steps away from the others.

“I want you to be happy again,” he said. “I want you to love again. I don’t want you to be alone.”

A tender smile spread across his face as he looked at me, and then his gaze shifted toward someone in the distance.

I turned slowly, following the direction of his eyes.

My vision blurred.

Then the figure became clearer, step by step, moving toward us.

My breath caught in my throat.

It was none other than Caleb.

That evening,just before dinner, the doorbell rang.

Geeta went to open the door while the children remained in the living room with me, watching television.

“Hi, guys!”

I turned around.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach the moment I saw Caleb standing there, filling the doorway with his presence.

I had not stopped thinking about him since the accident. He had been the love of my life before I met Cole. The first man I had ever given my whole heart to. He had been the reason I fought to livewhen my own heart nearly gave up on me years ago. The man I had once imagined spending forever with.

Lucas and Emma shrieked and ran toward him, throwing their arms around his legs as if he had returned from a long journey instead of arriving after only a few days.

I stood up from the couch, watching him with my children clinging to him in excitement. Joy bloomed inside my chest despite the dull ache in my arm.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, unable to keep the smile from my face, walking toward him.

“I was around and thought I’d check up on you. How are you feeling?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.

“I’m better,” I said.

“Your arm?” His brows knitted together, deep lines forming between.

“Much better.”

“Are you staying for dinner, Caleb?” Lucas asked in a bubbly tone.

Caleb looked at me, silently asking permission.

I nodded.

“Yes, I am and...” he paused, his lips curving into a playful smile. “Guess what I bought?”

He knelt and opened the bag he was carrying.

“Ice cream! Ice cream!” Emma squealed, clapping her hands.