A Love Buried by Secrets novel Chapter 22

After spending the whole night on a plane, Elliot finally made it to Nekkerland and got to the venue just as Serena's engagement ceremony was about to start.

Backstage, Serena had just finished slipping into her gown and was all set to walk out when Elliot suddenly burst through the door. She froze, caught off guard by the fact that he had shown up, especially at that moment.

After a brief pause, she still managed to speak, giving him a quiet nod. "Eli."

She had called Elliot by that name many times before, but now, he didn't feel the warmth in it. When he saw her in that gown with an empty expression, a sharp pain rushed through him. It was so strong that it nearly overwhelmed him.

His eyes turned red in an instant. The longing he'd felt while they were apart, blended with guilt, made him want to pull her close and hold her tight, just like he always used to.

Elliot couldn't help himself and took two steps forward as he called her name gently. "Rena…"

His eyes were full of mixed emotions, and the hurt in his voice was clear. However, Serena didn't react. She looked at him like he was a stranger.

Flustered, he stared at her desperately. "Rena, I'm sorry. It was my fault before. I didn't know the truth and used you to get back at Ms. Foster. I never should've hurt you. Now, I realize how wrong I was. Can you forgive me?"

Serena remained just as distant, showing neither anger nor happiness. She only gave a slight nod.

"I heard you, but I don't care about that anymore. It's almost time. I have to go to the banquet hall now, Eli."

Elliot's heart dropped. It felt as though it had been sliced open, and his face went pale. "Do you still hate me? I swear, I know I messed up. Dad punished me the way it's always been done in our family, and I even apologized to Ms. Foster on my knees.

"I want to fix things between us, Rena. Listen, I started this relationship to get back at you, but over the past six years, I had genuinely fallen in love with you. Rena, please give us another chance.

"I'll speak to our parents. We don't have to go through with these arranged marriages to other people. We could move to a place where stepsiblings are allowed to marry. I promise to love you for the rest of my life."

His eyes grew red, his voice choked with emotion. It was so full of misery that it sounded like he might burst into tears at any second.