Charlotte's POV
Kimi's definition of love struck me like a physical blow. Her words didn't just resonate; they shattered me, sending shards of memory scattering in my mind, each one a fragment of my father. Losing him when I was seven had ripped a hole in my heart, a wound that never truly healed. After that, my mother seemed to vanish, barricading herself behind indifference. Her cruelty had left a trail of scars, each one a festering reminder of her venom. "Your father died because of you," she had spat, "He never loved you." Those words, a constant refrain in my mind, had poisoned my self-worth. Hearing Kimi describe love felt like a painful echo of what I had, what I'd lost with my dad – a connection that felt now, irrevocably broken.
"But what about my internal mess?" I asked, the words barely a whisper. "How can you love someone like me, someone who despises themself?"
Kimi's face was a study in intense thought. I touched her arm gently, and when she turned her gaze to me, her eyes locked on mine. Then, simply, she said, "Yes."
"Why?" The question tumbled out, desperate for an answer. How could she? How could anyone genuinely love someone who felt so fundamentally flawed, so inadequate? How could she possibly love me?
"We all carry our own battles, our own imperfections," she explained, her voice soft but firm. "I promise you, Charlotte, my love for you will never falter. Nothing could ever make me hate you. I know we've only just met, but I am committed to being by your side. Please, let those walls you've built come down. Let me share your pain; I'm here to shoulder it with you. I won't hurt you, I swear. You deserve all the good things, and I love you despite what anyone else might say. My love for you is real."
Tears streamed down Kimi's face as she delivered her confession, her unwavering gaze holding my own. My heart hammered against my ribs with every word. I couldn't resist the pull between us, and I leaned in, kissing her. She surrendered to the moment, and the kiss deepened. Even amidst the rush, a voice deep within me whispered that it felt right. But then, my mother's poisonous words resurfaced, echoing in my thoughts like a warning siren. Pulling away abruptly, I was suddenly overwhelmed. Tears stung my eyes. I desperately wanted to stay, to bask in her affection, but I was terrified. I feared my internal demons would only hurt her, that my darkness could somehow consume her. Her very existence felt threatened by being with me.
I had to protect her, even from myself. My mind was made up. I knew what I had to do.