**Chapter 13: unfortunate circumstances**
The room was a tableau of shock and disbelief, an unexpected twist of fate that had left both Irina and Corian reeling. They stood there, staring at each other, as if the universe had played an elaborate prank on them.
Corian, his face contorted with anger and incredulity, was on the brink of walking out. He had one foot poised to leave when his mother intervened, her voice stern yet soothing. "Corian, where are you going?"
He turned to face her, his frustration evident in his voice. "I can't marry her!"
His mother's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why, Corian? What's the matter?"
The tension in the room was palpable as Corian's words hung in the air, a heavy cloud of uncertainty. He took a deep breath before he let it out in a rush, revealing the source of his discontent. "She's the one I told you about, the girl who slapped me at the coffee shop."
His revelation hung in the air like a thunderclap, a revelation that rippled through the room with undeniable force. There was a collective gasp, a murmur of surprise, as those present tried to make sense of the situation.
Meanwhile, Irina, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, had instinctively sought refuge behind her brother, Alex. She knew that her father's anger would be swift and fierce, and she couldn't bear to face the consequences of her impulsive actions.
As the tension in the room mounted, the air became thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. The future that had once seemed clear and promising was now shrouded in uncertainty, a path that neither Irina nor Corian had anticipated.
In the midst of it all, they stood, two individuals connected by fate but separated by an incident that had left an indelible mark on both their lives. The room bore witness to the echoes of their encounter, a reminder that destiny could be both unpredictable and unforgiving.
***
The room still crackled with tension as Corian's revelation hung heavy in the air. Irina, hidden behind her brother, couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of terror. She knew her father's wrath, and the consequences of her impulsive actions were about to catch up with her.
Corian stood on the precipice of leaving, his anger palpable, his steps filled with determination. He was a whirlwind of emotions, trapped between the past and the present, struggling to make sense of it all.
But Corian's mother, sensing the fragility of the situation, stepped forward, her voice a soothing plea. "Corian, please come back. Let's sort this out together."
Corian turned to look at his mother, his expression torn between anger and the desire for resolution. "Mother, you don't understand. She slapped me."
His mother's gaze softened, and she took a step closer to her son, her voice gentle and reassuring. "I know, Corian, but she's a good girl. Give her a chance. She'll apologize."
Irina, trembling with fear and regret, summoned up every ounce of courage she had left. She stepped out from behind Alex, her voice quivering as she addressed Corian directly. "I'm... I'm so sorry for what happened at the coffee shop. It was wrong of me, and I regret it deeply."
Corian, surprised by Irina's sudden apology, felt a stirring of empathy. He could see the fear in her eyes, the remorse in her voice, and a part of him softened. It was a fragile moment, a bridge between two worlds.
His mother's words echoed in his mind, and he made a decision. "Alright, let's sort this out."
With that, they walked back into the house, the weight of their encounter still heavy in the air. They settled into the living room, a quiet tension lingering between them, a reminder that sometimes apologies could be the first step toward understanding and reconciliation.
One thing Corian didn't know was the Irina was doing this for her personal reasons. She didn't want to be scolded by her trouble bearing father. For one, she left the house when she wasn't allowed to and then she slapped a man. Who is none other than her fiance. Irina had to take rapid decisions in order to save her tail. Within her still beared the growing anger in her as she remembers what he did to her. Irina sighed and said to herself, "here's to an exciting future" .