106 Chapter 106- A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to Reunite
106 Chapter 106 – A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to
Reunite
I dreamed of Isabelle. Her smile, her laugh, the warmth of her hand in mine. In my dream, we were still on the Ferris wheel, suspended at the highest point with the world spread out beneath us like a blanket of twinkling lights. She leaned toward me, her lips brushing against mine as she whispered, “I’ll always love you, Liam.”
A sharp knock jolted me from sleep. I blinked groggily, disoriented by the sudden intrusion. The room was bathed in morning light, much brighter than it should have been for the early hour I’d planned to wake. My eyes widened as I realized my alarm hadn’t gone off.
“Isabelle,” I mumbled, reaching for my phone. The screen showed three missed calls- all from the hotel reception. It was nearly noon.
Another knock, more insistent this time. I stumbled to the door, my heart racing with an inexplicable dread. It wasn’t Isabelle standing there, but a hotel staff member.
“Mr. Knight? There’s someone asking for you in the lobby.”
I hurriedly threw on clothes, noticing the protective amulet still sitting on the nightstand. I grabbed it, shoving it into my pocket before rushing downstairs.
The lobby was quiet, with only a few guests milling about. My eyes scanned the space until they landed on a tall, distinguished man in his sixties. His posture was rigid, his expression stern beneath silver–streaked hair. But it was his eyes that caught my attention – the same captivating shade as Isabelle’s.
–
“Mr. Knight.” His voice was deep, authoritative. “I’m Harrison Ashworth, Isabelle’s father.”
My stomach dropped. “Where is she?”
His expression softened slightly. “In the car. We’re returning to Veridia City today.”
“Today?” The word felt like a physical blow. “But she didn’t tell me–”
“My daughter found it… difficult to say goodbye. She was up most of the night watching you sleep before we left.”
106 Chapter 106–A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to Reunite
A memory flashed – a gentle touch on my forehead, the whisper of a kiss – had it been real or part of my dream?
“She left this for you.” Harrison handed me a folded note.
With trembling fingers, I opened it:
*Liam,*
*Forgive me for leaving without waking you. I couldn’t bear to see your face and still find the strength to go. Yesterday was perfect – thank you for giving me memories I’ll
cherish forever.*
*Please understand I have responsibilities I cannot ignore. Take care of yourself.*
*Yours,*
*Isabelle*
The words blurred as tears filled my eyes. No goodbye. No promise to return. Just…
gone.
“Where is she now?” I demanded, my voice breaking.
Harrison checked his watch. “The car should still be loading her luggage. If you hurry
E
I didn’t wait for him to finish. I bolted through the lobby and out onto the street, scanning frantically until I spotted a black luxury sedan with the Ashworth family crest idling near the hotel entrance.
“Isabelle!” I shouted, running toward it with every ounce of strength I had.
The distance seemed endless. My lungs burned, my legs threatened to give out, but I pushed forward, desperation fueling each step. I could see her through the tinted window – her head turned away, her posture rigid as if fighting to maintain control.
“ISABELLE!” I called again, my voice raw with emotion.
She turned then, her eyes widening as she saw me sprinting toward the car. For a moment, neither of us moved – me, gasping for breath on the sidewalk; her, frozen behind the glass.
Then she was throwing open the door, stepping out just as I reached her.
106 Chapter 106 A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to Reunite
“Liam,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” The words came out harsher than f intended, edged with hurt.
“I thought it would be easier.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “For both of us.”
“Nothing about this is easy,” I said, my voice cracking. “Please don’t go.”
She reached out, her fingers cool against my cheek. “I have to. My grandfather’s health is failing. My family needs me now.”
“I need you,” I countered, grabbing her hand and pressing it against my heart. “Stay
with me.”
More tears fell as she shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Then let me come with you.”
“To Veridia City?” A sad smile curved her lips. “You’re not ready, Liam. The Ashworth family, our world – it would crush you as you are now.”
Her words stung, but I recognized the truth in them. I was still too weak, too unprepared to stand beside her in her world.
“Then what?” I asked, desperation clawing at me. “We just say goodbye forever?”
“Not forever,” she said, surprising me. Her eyes suddenly blazed with determination through her tears. “One year.”
“What?”
“Give me one year, Liam.” Her hands gripped mine tightly. “One year to handle my family obligations, to prepare them. And one year for you to grow stronger, to build yourself into a man who can walk confidently into Veridia City.”
Hope flickered in my chest. “And after a year?”
“Come to me,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “Come to Veridia City and marry
me.”
The world seemed to stop spinning. “Marry you?”
“Yes.” She stepped closer, her eyes never leaving mine. “I know this is sudden, but I’ve
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106 Chapter 106 – A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to Reunite
never been more certain of anything. We belong together, Liam. I’ll wait one year for
–
you not a day longer.”
“A year,” I repeated, my mind racing. It seemed both impossibly long and terrifyingly short. “And then I come for you, and we get married.”
She nodded, her smile radiant despite her tears. “Do you accept?”
Instead of answering, I pulled her against me, burying my face in her hair. The scent of her, the feel of her in my arms – I tried to memorize everything about this moment.
“I’ll come for you,” I whispered fiercely. “I swear it. In one year, I’ll be a man worthy of standing beside you.”
She drew back, studying my face as if committing it to memory. “Don’t try to be worthy of me, Liam. Be worthy of yourself.”
A discreet cough interrupted us. Harrison stood several feet away, his expression unreadable. “We need to depart, Isabelle.”
She nodded, then turned back to me. “I have to go.”
Suddenly remembering, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the protective amulet. “Take this,” I said, pressing it into her palm. “I made it for you. It’s infused with
blood essence – it will protect you when I can’t be there.”
my
Her eyes widened as she examined the intricate patterns. “Liam, this is… this must have taken all night.”
“Promise me you’ll wear it,” I said urgently. “Always.”
Instead of answering, she unfastened the chain around her neck and slipped the amulet onto it, letting it rest beside her heart. “I promise.”
As she turned to leave, I remembered something else. I grabbed her arm, turning her back to face me. “One more thing.”
–
I pulled the jade pendant – the one that had awakened with me, my only connection to my past – from my neck.
“This is my most precious possession,” I said, placing it in her hand and closing her fingers around it. “Keep it safe for me until we’re together again.”
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106 Chapter 106 – A Promise Sealed in Tears: One Year to Reunite
Her eyes welled with fresh tears. “Liam, I can’t take this-”
“Please,” I insisted. “So you’ll never forget what’s waiting for you.”
With trembling hands, she put it on, the jade glowing faintly against her skin. “One year,” she whispered.
“One year,” I echoed.
She brushed her lips against mine in a kiss that tasted of salt and promise, then pulled away and hurried to the waiting car. As she slipped inside, she looked back one last time, mouthing words I couldn’t hear but understood perfectly: “I love you.”
The car door closed, and the sedan pulled smoothly away from the curb. I stood motionless, watching until it disappeared around a corner, taking my heart with it. As her father passed me to follow the car in his own vehicle, he paused.
“She doesn’t make promises lightly,” he said quietly. “Be ready when the year is up.” And then he too was gone, leaving me alone on the sidewalk with nothing but a deadline and a vow that burned like fire in my veins.
One year to become the man Isabelle deserved.
One year until I would see her again.
One year to prepare for the challenges of Veridia City.
The countdown had begun.
