Page 57 of Tempting My Nemesis

Caleb moves closer, his presence as comforting as the sound of the sea.

"It used to be my escape," he admits, his voice low and intimate. "But now, with you here... I don't feel like I need to escape anymore."

The weight of his words settles over me, and I reach for his hand. Our fingers intertwine, a perfect fit.

"No more running," I agree. "No more hiding. Just us."

His grip tightens, and I see the truth of it in his eyes. We've earned this peace, fought for it tooth and nail. And now, standing here in the warm light of the fading day, I know we're exactly where we're meant to be.

Caleb moves to the small bar in the corner, his movements deliberate and calm. He reaches for a bottle of wine, one I recognize that he usually saves for special occasions. As he uncorks it, I can't help but wonder what's on his mind.

The sun dips lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light through the windows. It bathes Caleb in a soft glow, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. He pours two glasses of wine, his hands steady as he hands one to me and keeps the other for himself.

He sits down beside me on the couch, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from his body. The air between us feels charged with intention.

"Caleb, what is it?" I ask softly. "You look like you have something on your mind."

He meets my eyes, and I'm struck by the depth of emotion I see there. For a moment, he just looks at me, as if he's taking me in. Then he speaks, his voice gentle but filled with conviction.

"I've been thinking... about everything we've been through. And I realize that I've never truly said it—how much I'm sorry for all the times I pushed you away."

My heart tightens with emotion. I've heard his apologies before, but this feels different. There's a rawness to his words that touches something deep inside me.

"I was scared, Zoe," he continues. "Scared of losing control, scared of losing you. But I see now that I don't need to control everything to keep you safe. I need to trust you, to trust us. You make me stronger, not weaker. And I'm ready to share every part of my life with you, no matter the risks."

Tears well up in my eyes, but they're tears of joy. I feel the weight of his words, the sincerity behind them, and I’m overcome with love.

"Caleb..." I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I love you. For who you are—every part of you. And I'll always be here, no matter what."

He reaches out, taking my hand in his. The connection between us feels solid, unbreakable. I know that this is what we've both been searching for all along—someone to share our lives with, someone who loves us for who we are, flaws and all.

I take a deep breath, knowing it's my turn to share something deeply personal. I reach for my phone, preparing to show Caleb the video of my father's apology.

I unlock my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I scroll through my videos. The air feels thick as the significance of what I’m about to do washes over me. Caleb watches me, his eyes intense but patient. I find the video and pause, taking a deep breath.

"There's something I need to show you, Caleb," I say softly. "It's about my father... and what happened to your parents."

Caleb's eyes widen, but he remains silent, waiting for me to continue. I press play, and my father's face fills the screen. His voice, filled with remorse, echoes through the room.

I watch Caleb's reaction, my heart pounding. His jaw clenches, his eyes fixed on the screen. I can see the storm of emotions playing across his face—anger, pain, and something else... something that looks like relief.

As the video ends, I turn to him, my eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Caleb. I know this doesn't make up for what happened, but I hope... I hope it brings you some peace."

Caleb nods, his expression softening. "Thank you, Zoe," he says gently. "For showing me this... for being here. I think... I think it's time I forgave him. Forgave myself."

My heart swells with love and relief, but there's one more thing I need to share. I reach into my bag, pulling out an envelope, slightly worn at the edges.

"There's something else," I say softly, holding it out to him. "My father left this as well. I... read it but you should too, he tried to make things right.”

Caleb takes the letter, his hands trembling slightly. He looks at me, a mix of fear and curiosity in his eyes. I nod encouragingly, and he slowly opens the envelope.

Tears gather in his eyes as he reads, but he doesn't let them fall. When he finishes, he looks up at me, a watery smile on his face.

"You know," he says, his voice thick with emotion but tinged with unexpected humor, "I guess we were meant to find each other. If you hadn't walked into my office to ask me to be an investor, you would have ultimately hunted me down to apologize on behalf of your old man. Or else risk his ghost haunting you."

I blink, surprised by his reaction. Then, a giggle bubbles up from my chest. It's so absurd, so perfectly Caleb, that I can't help but laugh. Soon, we're both chuckling, the sound mingling with the crash of waves outside. It's cathartic, releasing years of pent-up pain and guilt.

---