Chapter 23: A New Beginning
The moment the plane touched down, Elira's heart fluttered. Not from nerves this time, but from something else anticipation.
Zayn turned to her. "Welcome to the Maldives."
She blinked, stunned. "You brought me here?"
"I figured we needed a proper honeymoon," he said, smiling gently. "A real one. Not the one we pretended through the motions."
The warmth of the sun kissed her skin as they stepped out of the airport. The resort they arrived at was nestled between turquoise waters and white sand. It looked like a dream a place for lovers, not strangers. But were they still strangers?
Their private villa floated above the ocean, with glass floors that revealed the sea beneath. Elira gasped. "Zayn, this is…"
He didn't wait for her to finish. "You deserve something beautiful."
That night, they had dinner by candlelight on the deck. The air was filled with ocean breeze and unsaid feelings. Zayn poured her wine, his fingers brushing hers. It was the first time in a long time that she didn't pull away.
"You've changed," she said softly.
"I had to," he replied. "Because the more I saw you, the real you, the more I realized... I never gave you a chance. Or gave us a chance."
Her eyes dropped to her plate, cheeks warming. "And now?"
"Now," he said, reaching for her hand, "I want to start over. Not because I have to. But because I want to."
The next few days were filled with laughter, stolen glances, and long walks on the beach. Zayn wasn't the cold man she had married. He was gentle now attentive, protective.
One night, as waves crashed gently outside, he held her close in bed, whispering, "I think I'm falling for you, Elira."
Her breath caught, but she didn't speak. Instead, she laid her head on his chest, letting the rhythm of his heartbeat say all the words they weren't ready to.
And just like that, the walls between them began to fall.