Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)



The snow was falling heavily, painting the world in shades of white and gray. Emma wanted to call out to him, to beg him to come back inside where it was warm. But her voice was trapped in her throat, refusing to emerge.

He had confessed his love for her!

After the initial shock had faded, she realized there had been signs all along.

His meticulous care for her, his unwavering support, and that night she had her heart broken, how he'd driven all the way from another city just to hold her. She could even recall the slight tremble in his embrace.

But she had overlooked all those moments.

They had grown up together, after all, and his kindness had always been a constant.

Like a brother, like a father figure - she had taken his affection for granted, thinking it was only natural.

But nothing in life is ever truly guaranteed.

Tears welled up in her eyes again. Why did she feel wronged?

It was he who had suffered in silence all this time!

Suddenly, all her anger and embarrassment vanished. Gazing at his retreating figure, she wished nothing more than for him to return to the warmth of his home.

Standing there, he seemed like a mountain weighing heavily on her heart, making her restless.

She picked up her phone, hesitated, and then put it down - repeating this several times before finally mustering the courage to send him a message. Through the dark night, she saw Jason's phone screen light up. He paused, then turned to look towards her window.

Emma quickly hid behind the curtains.

After a moment, Jason finally walked away.

Emma let out a sigh of relief, realizing she was still wearing her down jacket, now drenched in sweat from the heat.

She took it off and headed for a shower, noticing her swollen lips in the mirror, slightly bitten by him.

Frustration and a hint of shame

washed over her, and then she

remembered - he was thirty-two and

had just had his first kiss, all

because he'd been waiting for her.

Swr

This thought sent a flutter through her heart. She quickly splashed cold water on her face, warning her reflection,

"Don't you dare think about him again!"

After all, he had been so fierce, so intense tonight!

With a huff, she stepped into the shower.

While Emma slept, Jason lay awake.

His phone still displayed the message she had sent him, and he sat in his study, staring at those words,

"Go home. Don't stand under my window. And never do it again!"

Years of guarding, years of silent longing, walking on thin ice, and it had come to this.

The walk back home left him freezing, yet at this moment, he felt an odd sense of acceptance.

Even if he never confessed, what

difference would it make? Watching her fall for someone else, making jokes about him with other women, telling him he was just a disposable toy cherished only because of the time spent together.

Would losing her hurt any less now?

Now that things had fallen apart, it was just another layer of pain.

He leaned back, closing his eyes, replaying the kiss they shared in the snowy night. Her trembling lashes seemed to flicker against his heart.

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Her lips were so soft, so cold, yet so incredibly sweet!

He savored the memory, perhaps the only solace he'd have in the years to come.