The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 28

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 19**

**Blair’s POV**

For quite some time, I had been wandering aimlessly, drifting from one place to another, searching for a sanctuary that would envelop me in a sense of tranquility. Each town I passed through felt like a fleeting moment, a mere pause in my restless journey. Eventually, I found myself in a quaint little town nestled near the border—serene, warm, and infused with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. It was almost as if I had stumbled upon the idyllic life I had once envisioned in my dreams.

On that particular day, I ambled down the cobblestone streets, lost in thought as I casually explored the local market stalls. The vibrant colors of the produce and the cheerful chatter of vendors created a comforting backdrop. Suddenly, amidst the hum of the crowd, a voice pierced through my reverie.

“Blair!”

My heart raced as I instinctively froze, spinning around before my mind could fully process what was happening. The figure in the throng was a blur, but the moment I laid eyes on him, clarity struck like lightning.

Christian.

A tight knot formed in my chest, and my brows furrowed in disbelief. It had been so long since he had been a part of my life that I had nearly convinced myself that the chapter with him was closed, buried deep beneath layers of time and hurt.

Why was he still pursuing me?

He had never truly loved me, and I had walked away. He should have moved on by now.

As I gazed at him, all the anguish and embarrassment I had painstakingly buried surged back to the surface. Memories flooded my mind—the heartbreak, the betrayal—everything I had tried so hard to forget.

The sun had been gentle these past weeks, casting a warm glow on my newfound peace. Even the lingering pain in my ribs, remnants of the accident, had finally eased. Yet, the mere sight of his face was enough to resurrect all those buried emotions.

Without a second thought, I turned and maneuvered through the throngs of people, navigating the narrow alleyways in an attempt to escape him. I had convinced myself that this was merely a coincidence.

But the following day, to my utter shock, he appeared at my front door.

**Chapter 19**

When I opened the door and found him standing there, I genuinely questioned my sanity. It felt surreal, as if I were caught in a dream from which I could not awaken.

As the reality of his presence settled in, my initial reaction was to slam the door shut, to retreat back into the safety of my solitude. But just as the door began to close, his hand shot out, halting it with a firm grip.

Reluctantly, I allowed the door to swing open once more.

Standing there, I crossed my arms defensively, fixing him with a gaze that was as icy as the winter winds. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice devoid of warmth.

He moved as if to embrace me, but I instinctively stepped back, creating a chasm between us. He halted, his hands suspended in the air for a moment before they fell limply to his sides, an awkward silence enveloping us.

His voice emerged, rough and strained. “Blair… have you been okay?”

I frowned, taking another step back, clearly delineating the distance that now separated us. “Thanks for your concern,” I replied coolly. “I’ve been doing just fine.”

I anticipated him launching into one of his elaborate speeches, as he was always prone to do. But this time, he stood there, mouth agape, seemingly at a loss for words. It was as if he had forgotten how to articulate the very thoughts that had once flowed so effortlessly from his lips.

The silence between us felt foreign, heavy with unspoken words. I could see the effort it took for him to swallow the lump in his throat. His fingers twitched, longing to reach out to me, yet he hesitated, paralyzed by uncertainty.

Fear was evident in his eyes. I could see it clearly.

I knew my words would strike a painful chord.

But I had no intention of coddling him. I was not in the wrong.

He deflated before me, as if someone had knocked the breath out of him.

He shook his head slowly, his lips quivering, his face a mask of despair.

“No… Blair… no,” he stammered, his voice thick with emotion. “I know I hurt you. I know you hate me. But please believe me—every time I closed my eyes after you left, I saw you.”

“I really did fall in love with you during those five years. I just… didn’t realize it. I said the wrong things, did the wrong things.”

He expressed his regret, revealing that he had survived on memories of me, often staring at old photographs. He admitted that the resemblance between me and Carrie had merely been an excuse—

That he had been arrogant, too confident in his own assumptions. He had thought I would never leave.

“I regret it,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Please… come back with me.”

I stared at him in silence, and suddenly, he felt like a stranger to me.

The Christian I had once known—the one who had been so full of life when we were younger—had never looked so defeated.

It had only been a few months, yet he appeared to have aged years. Strands of gray peppered his temples, and the arrogance that had once filled his gaze was now replaced with vulnerability and regret.

For the first time, I truly saw him… and it was heartbreaking.