chapter 27

Luke stepped onto the plane, his steps slow and heavy. The bustling airport was filled with noise—announcements echoing overhead, travelers rushing to their gates, flight attendants welcoming passengers—but he barely heard any of it. His heart felt hollow as he handed his ticket to the stewardess, who offered him a polite smile.“Welcome aboard, Mr. Luke. Enjoy your flight.”He nodded absently, barely acknowledging her before making his way to his first-class seat. The luxurious cabin was dimly lit, designed for comfort, but no amount of luxury could ease the ache in his chest.As he settled into his seat, he glanced out of the small oval window. The city lights twinkled in the distance, growing smaller as the plane prepared for departure. He sighed, tilting his head back against the plush seat. Around him, passengers were slowly drifting into sleep, their soft breathing filling the quiet cabin.But Luke remained awake.His hands clenched into fists on his lap, his breathing uneven. He had been telling himself that this was what he wanted—to leave, to move on, to let go. But the pain in his chest told a different story.A deep, raw pain.A single tear slipped from his eye, trailing down his cheek before he could stop it. He quickly wiped it away, but more followed. Silent, unstoppable.He had lied.Not about testing Scar Boss. That had been true. But he had lied about something else.He had loved Amaira.From the very first day he met her, she had captured his heart in a way no one ever had. The way her eyes held kindness, the way she fought for her brother with unwavering determination, the way she smiled despite everything life had thrown at her.She had been everything he had ever wanted.And yet, he had to walk away.Because no matter how much he wanted to hold onto her, he had seen the way she looked at Scar Boss. The emotions she refused to acknowledge. The connection she didn't even realize she had.She had never been his to love.A bitter smile formed on his lips as he exhaled shakily.He had played the fool, pretending to be indifferent, pretending to test their feelings when, in reality, he had just been trying to convince himself that he stood a chance.But he never did.And he knew that if he stayed any longer, if he allowed himself to hold onto even the smallest bit of hope, he would never be able to let go.So he chose to leave.For the sake of his friend. For the sake of the woman he loved.The plane’s engines roared to life, vibrating beneath his feet. The flight attendants moved through the aisle, making last-minute checks. Soon, they would take off.And he would be gone.He let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no humor in it.“Goodbye, Amaira,” he whispered into the dimly lit cabin, his voice breaking slightly.No one heard him.No one saw the silent tears that fell as the plane lifted into the sky, carrying him away from the one thing he had ever truly wanted—but could never have.***The golden morning light streamed through the windows as Amaira slowly opened her eyes. A strange emptiness settled in her chest, and it took her a moment to realize why. Luke was gone.She sat up and reached for her phone, her heart sinking slightly. A single message from Luke waited for her:"Follow your heart, Amaira. It already knows the way."She stared at the words, reading them over and over again. Luke had always been the playful one, the one who teased and smiled as if nothing could ever touch him. But now, she wondered—had he seen something in her heart that even she hadn’t?She pressed the phone against her chest and let out a deep sigh.It was time to stop running away from the truth.She didn’t know exactly what she felt for Scar Boss. Maybe it was an attraction, maybe it was something deeper, or maybe it was just the weight of everything they had been through. But she knew one thing—she didn’t want to fight it anymore.A small smile played on her lips as an idea formed in her mind. Scar Boss had been cold, distant, and impossible to read. But there were fleeting moments—small, subtle moments—where she had caught glimpses of something else. Something that made her heart pound.Tonight, she would break the silence.She hurried to the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves. The maids had the morning off, and that worked in her favor. She wanted to do this herself.The scent of spices filled the air as she moved from dish to dish, pouring her heart into every detail. By the time the sun dipped in the sky, the dining table was set—a feast laid out in careful perfection.She stepped back, admiring her work. A part of her felt nervous. Would he even care? Would he push her away like he always did?No. Tonight, she would take a step forward. She would stop waiting.Just then, the doorbell rang.Amaira frowned, glancing at the clock. Scar Boss wasn’t supposed to be back yet. Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked to the door and pulled it open.