Claire jolted awake, with her heart beating so fast in her chest as she tries to move backward away from danger, as panic surged through her veins.
Melvin pushed himself forward but his reach was off and misstepping he forcefully broke the thick window glass at the cliff's edge, shattering it into fragments.
Immediately he blinked, pressing his hands to the wound he sustained, his mind clearing slowly as blood drops from his wounds, pointing at her he said in a very deadly and low voice "You are not escaping today."
Claire overcome by fear and in a state of panic, not knowing what to do hugged herself tightly and said "Please don't do this, Melvin."
"Aiden will never forgive you if he finds out that you laid a hand on me and the consequences are severe as you know it", her desperate voice wavered as she said it.
Melvin with a malicious laugh said "if it weren't for him back in Eastcliff, in Westchester no one will have the guts to look down on me the number one heir of Eastcliff."
"He ruined everything with his existence, but now that I am Lord Ephoria of the Great Imperial Houses, no one will oppose me."
Melvin wiping the bloodstain from his forehead further said "Aiden is already dead, but even if he isn't, he won't be able to make it here in time."
"I will make sure the world see as I take Aidens woman, Hahahah."
"You will never be like Aiden, you're a pathetic joke Melvin, you're nothing but a clown" Claire responded.
Melvin erupting in fury, snatched a chair beside him with brutal force and throws it at Claire who was standing close to the window. The chair crashed the window glass, shattering it on impact with the window shards flying through the air
A bitter smile curled on Claire's lip as she looked outside through the window, a thought flashing through her mind "whats the point of living? with Aiden gone I have nothing left", gazing below at the endless cliff she said to herself "i will never let my beloved be dishonored, I will stay true to him no matter what."
As her thoughts spiraled, Melvin driven by rage rushed towards her
Claire suddenly climbed unto the window ledge and said "if you come any closer Melvin, I will jump from here."
Step by step Melvin moved closer to her laughing, and with deliberate steps he said "Doing what I say is the best option for you Claire, you can't threaten me."
Looking deep into the dark abyss beneath her, she suddenly jumped without hesitation.
Suspended in mid air for a moment, with the cold breeze swirling all around, Claire felt weightless.
Choosing nobility over the filth of the world, her soul untainted and pure at that moment released all the pain she had endured and held onto for a long time.
She will preserve the dignity of the one she love even if it means abandoning the life once lived.
Suddenly a peaceful, radiant and serene smile appeared on Claire's lips, for the first time in ages she felt unburdened, hopeful and light.
As the world blurred in her eyes, with the fall deep and endless, she heard Aidens voice echoed in her ears, her pulse quickened matching the rhythm.
"Wait for me my love, I am coming to you."
"I will find my way back to you through the snow, through the storm, I will run to you."
"Goodbye to all the noise of this world"
Engrossed in her thoughts, Claire felt a familiar presence, comforting hands and a warmth she had yearn for desperately suddenly envelopes her completely bringing peace to her heart that was in turmoil.
"Is that really you, Aiden" she whispered to herself, as her heart couldn't contain the nervousness, yearning and sudden warmth which felt too familiar.
Too scared to open her tightly shut eyes, Aiden held her waist tightly with one hand and use the other hand to grab the edge of the cliff to cushion her falling body, then he spoke "it's me Claire, am so sorry for keeping you waiting."
Aidens voice trailed off as he caught sight of her hair which has turned white due to the suffering she endured because of him making his heart clenched in sorrow, "Claire, you silly woman." he said.
"Unwilling to face the reality that feels like an illusion, a dream, she decided to breath cautiously and shallow with unrestrained tears finally streaming down her eyes."
"I thought you did not want me anymore"
"I thought I was going to end this life hopelessly again"
"
I thought I will never get to see you again"
Aiden let her cry, remaining silent as she clunged to him sobbing, allowing her tears drop unrestrained, her frustration spilling out in broken sobs, her pain raw
She feared that she will loose him again if she let go, so she held unto him tightly
A thousand unspoken promises tangled between them as Aiden planted a warm kiss on her lips, so sweet that the world seems to stop at that moment, flowers so delicate and ethereal bloomed even though it was winter.
"I will take you home" Aiden said as he wiped her tears away reaffirming her of their eternal love which has been reborn through the curse of fate.
She will follow him anywhere through blood and fire as long as she was with him nothings else in the world matters as she nestled herself deeper into his embrace.
Thank you for taking your time to read and engage on this post
