Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Sierra pov.

I stood waiting for an answer, desperate to know why. Why did he tell me he had found his mate? Why did he lie and leave me all alone?

With tear-streaked eyes, I gazed at him, searching for the truth. He approached me, gently wiping the tears from my face.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with sadness. "I'm sorry I had to lie. I did it to ensure your well-being."

I watched him speak, a surge of anger building within me. Before he could utter another word, my hand connected with his cheek, leaving both him and Nora in shock.

"I thought you were my friend," I said, tears streaming down my face. "I thought friends were meant to stand together, to help each other. But all you did was abandon me."

As he reached out to touch me, I recoiled, still overwhelmed with tears.

Just as I was about to walk away, Nora stood in my path. I could see the tears in her eyes, too, and before I knew it, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. It was my fault, not his," she confessed. "I told him to let you go because I believed it was the only way you could find peace."

I pulled away from her, studying her face. Was Nora serious? Did she know all along that Henry had left?

Backing away, my heart raced, pounding in my chest.

"So, you knew this whole time? You knew I was alone, and yet you never came to see me?"

I felt shattered, a profound sense of brokenness consuming me. Unable to hold back any longer, I crumbled to the floor, tears flooding my eyes.

"I just want to be happy; that's all I want," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. I felt as though I was losing my mind.

Henry walked over to me, his gentle hands reaching out to touch me. Startled, I stood up immediately and stared at him.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled, pain and hurt evident in my eyes.

"Why do you pretend to care? Why don't you go back to your mate, the one you said you were going to be with? I despise the day I set foot in that castle. I loathe the day I was so blind, unable to see the truth all along. Now, I find solace in the fact that all of this is happening because I have finally learned that true love cannot be trusted."

I turned and ran away from them, desperate to escape their touch. In the distance, Nora's voice echoed, pleading for me to stop, but I was too broken. All I wanted was to get away from everything.

After an exhausting run through the woods, I stumbled upon a serene river. I came to a halt and gazed at its shimmering surface, catching a glimpse of my reflection. I appeared so dark, and my eyes were swollen from crying.

"Sierra," a voice called out.

I turned around, and there stood Henry, his presence unexpected. Just as I was about to walk away, he stopped me.

"I am so sorry, Sierra. I thought I was doing the right thing. I believed that if I stayed away for a few days, you wouldn't have to endure any more pain because of me."

I looked into his eyes, feeling a sense of guilt wash over me. I sat down by the river's side, my gaze fixed on the water, and soon, Henry joined me, taking a seat beside me.

"You know, I've always dreamed of finding someone who would love and care for me. I've always aspired to become an artist and share my drawings with the world. Initially, I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I see how wrong I was, and I despise myself for it."

I turned and looked at Henry, his eyes now filled with sincerity, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I thought you would stand by me, but you left me, leaving me alone in the darkness."

He moved closer, gently pulling me into an embrace, and I rested my head against his chest.

"I am sorry, Sierra. I promise I won't leave you again. I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to do anything after you were taken away from the village. Please, forgive me."

Seeing him say that, I smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"It's okay, Henry. I believe you. It's just that I felt so sad when you left, but now I'm happy that you are here with me."

As he smiled, I smiled back at him, and we both turned to stare at the moon. I couldn't help but keep looking at Henry. I had an overwhelming desire to hold him and rest my head on his chest, but for some reason, I felt shy.

"Why don't we go back to Nora? She must be worried by now."

As I stood up to walk, he held my hands and stood up, staring into my eyes.

"Sierra," he whispered, and we both just stared at each other. I felt a magnetic pull, and my heart beat faster within me.

He continued to hold my hands and walked closer to me. I could feel his breath on my face, and for a moment, it felt as if I couldn't move.

"There is something I've been planning to tell you, Sierra," he said, looking at me while I stood there, motionless.

I felt as if I were about to release my last breath, but just by looking at him, I could feel my heart beating, yearning to get closer to him.

"I love you, Sierra," he whispered as he lifted his hands to cup my face. "I love you, and I want to be with you."

As his warm hands moved to my face, he moved even closer to me, and before I could think of what to say, his lips met mine.