It had been two days since Kieran had taken care of Jessi's father. Two days since his confession of love. Alena had been told that the man had confessed his crime, and he had left the city for good, promising never to return to her life.
But she felt nothing. The damage had already been done. The pain she already endured because of him is carved into her.
Kieran stayed at the farmhouse, managing his work from there, unwilling to leave her side. Alena hadn't gone back to school, her body present but her mind still fragile.
Jessi, having watched the video that revealed the truth of his father's disgusting acts with Alena. She regretted her harsh words she had spilled at Alena that day without knowing the entire truth. She had tried again and again to reach Alena. but Kieran had destroyed Alena's phone. He refused to let even the shadow of her trauma return to her through a screen.
That night, the house was quiet. Alena, in her room, stood in front of the canvas, brush in her hand, painting under the soft glow of a lamp. Her hair was tied up messily, strands falling around her face. She wore off-white shorts and a loose shirt, sleeves rolled up, each stroke moving with practiced ease across the canvas.
Kieran came to check on her. The door was open. He paused at her door. He leaned against the frame, watching her in silence, a rare soft smile curling on his lips. For once, she looked at peace, yet calm, silent. immersed in colors instead of memories. He knocked gently to get her attention.
"Come in," she said quietly, her voice distant.
Kieran stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He walked towards her, his eyes never leaving her. As he reached her, his arms slipped around her waist, and he rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"Woah," he murmured with a smile, "this is beautiful, baby." His tone was deliberately bright, playful, hoping to lift her mood.
But she didn't react.
The smile faltered. His eyes darkened with worry. "Why is my crybaby so quiet today?"
Still nothing.
"Alena?" he whispered, voice careful, almost fragile.
She blinked rapidly, as though fighting something deep inside her. The brush slowed in her hand. And then, like a dam breaking, tears spilled down her cheeks. Silent, uncontrollable.
Kieran's heart clenched. In one swift motion, he pulled her into his chest. The brush slipped from her hand to the floor as her hands clutched at his shirt, holding on desperately. She buried her face against him, sobs shaking through her small frame.
"Shh… don't, baby. I'm here," he whispered, one hand stroking her back, the other holding the back of her head. He pressed kiss after kiss into her hair. "I've got you. Don't cry, baby. Please."
But she sobbed harder, words trembling out of her throat. "I'm not able to forget it. Those memories… they're haunting me."
The pain in her voice nearly broke him. His eyes burned, tears threatening as he held her tighter, as if his arms alone could shield her from the past. He let her cry, let her pour out her grief, her fear, her brokenness into him. His shirt grew wet with her tears, but he didn't move, didn't let go.
When her sobs finally slowed, he bent his head. "You okay now?" he asked softly.
No answer.
"Alena?" he tried again, gentler.
Still, she stayed curled against him, hiding.
Kieran cupped her cheeks, making her look at him. The sight made his chest ache. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face pale, her lips cracked, dark circles smudged beneath her eyes, marks of sleepless nights and endless crying.
"Alena…" his voice broke. His thumb brushed her tears away as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I love you, baby. I'm here with you. Forever."
She shook her head faintly, whispering, "Don't."
"I can't stop," he said, voice trembling. "I feel for you, and I can't undo it."
She tried to push away, but his grip tightened. He pulled her back into him, stubborn, desperate. "Don't you dare run away from me."
Her eyes glistened, lips trembling. "Don't waste your time on me. I'm not worth it."
His jaw clenched, his voice raw, almost growling. "Didn't I tell you not to say that? Didn't I tell you that you are worthy of love?" His eyes burned as tears slipped free. He pressed his forehead against hers, trembling.
"Whatever the world calls you, I don't care. Whatever your past is, I don't care. For me, you are pure, beautiful, my everything. You are mine."
Her tears fell faster, and she closed her eyes, breaking again. He was shaking now, the sheer force of his love and his fury at the world rushing through him.
"I'll protect you from this cruel world, Alena," he swore, voice thick with devotion. "No matter what, I'll be by your side. Forever."
She sobbed, whispering brokenly, "You deserve better, Kieran. I'm a broken soul… no matter how much you try, someone will come from my past and try to break me again."
His eyes turned dark, fierce, resolute. "Then I'll remove them from this world before they even reach you."
Her lips trembled. He held her tighter, eyes blazing. "If I have to fight the world for you, I won't think twice."
She looked at him through blurred vision, her lips parting to speak, but he leaned in, cupping her face with trembling hands. "I love you. Feed that into your dumb brain," he whispered hoarsely.
And then her lips found his. A desperate kiss, wet with tears, full of everything words couldn't carry. He kissed her back, gentler, deeper, sealing every promise between them. Their tears mingled, running down their faces as if washing away their pain.
Still kissing her, Kieran scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the bed. He lay her down carefully, hovering over her, eyes locked with hers. His thumb stroked her cheek.
"Let me love you tonight, Alena," he whispered against her lips. "Let me erase the bad memories from you. Let me show you what it means to be loved, to be cherished. Let me mark you as mine, completely."
Her voice trembled. "What if you regret it?"
He kissed her again, silencing the thought, then pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. His own eyes were wet, glimmering. "You've become my everything, Alena. There's nothing about you I'll ever regret."
Her chest ached at the conviction in his voice. She nodded faintly, "Then love me, show me how worthy I'm," tears slipping again.
He kissed her once more, her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids, her nose, down her throat. His mouth left gentle, reverent marks on her skin, as though rewriting her body with his love.
That night, he loved her with a devotion she had never known. Every kiss whispered promises. Every touch erased a scar. Every whispered "I love you" carved his vow deeper into her soul.
Alena let him. Because for the first time in her life, she wanted to be loved like this. She needed it. She craved for it. And he showed her, he showed how worthy she is, how it feels to be loved.
And as the night deepened, two different souls stitched themselves together, sealing a promise never to let go of again.