Severa's POV
The fireworks had long since faded, but the warmth of Eugene's hand in mine lingered like an unspoken promise. We remained in the town plaza, watching the last remnants of Christmas Eve celebrations unfold around us. Families laughed, couples huddled together, and groups of friends took pictures under the twinkling Christmas lights. It was a scene of pure joy, and yet, within the bubble that Eugene and I existed in, it felt as if time had slowed, leaving just the two of us standing there, lost in something we had yet to name.
His grip on my hand was firm, almost as if he feared letting go would break whatever fragile thread was tying us together. I wasn't sure why I let him hold my hand for this long, why I let my fingers curl slightly around his in return. Maybe it was the cold breeze, maybe it was the way the holiday atmosphere softened everything, or maybe—just maybe—I wanted to hold on too.
We didn't say anything as we made our way to his car. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but it carried a weight I wasn't ready to name. Eugene unlocked the doors, and I slid into the passenger seat while he took the wheel.
The drive back to the hotel was quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint Christmas music playing on the radio and the occasional passing car. I stared out the window, watching the festive lights blur into streaks of color as we moved through the town.
But no matter how much I tried to focus on the scenery outside, I could still feel him.
His presence.
His gaze flickering toward me every now and then.
The way his fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, a sign that he was deep in thought.
The way my heart hadn't settled since he first took my hand tonight.
I could feel all of it.
And it terrified me.
When we reached the hotel, Eugene pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. Neither of us made a move to get out.
We sat there, surrounded by silence.
The air between us was thick with something unspoken, something that had been building up over the past months, maybe even the past ten years.
Eugene exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face before resting it on the steering wheel. "Severa..."
I turned my head slightly, waiting for him to continue, but he hesitated. I saw his throat move as he swallowed.
This was it.
That moment we both knew was coming.
"Goodnight," I said before he could speak. I didn't know why I cut him off. Maybe I wasn't ready. Maybe I was scared of what he was about to say.
His hand tightened around the gear shift for just a second before he finally—finally—let go.
It felt colder the moment his warmth disappeared.
He nodded, forcing a small smile. "Goodnight, Sev."
The nickname.
He had called me that countless times before—when we were younger, when we were still just two kids who didn't know what heartbreak meant. But now, it felt different.
It felt like a reminder of what we used to be.
I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car, making my way to the hotel entrance without looking back. I heard his door open and close, his footsteps following behind me, but neither of us said a word.
When we reached our rooms—mine marked 709, his 710—we both stopped.
Neither of us moved to unlock our doors.
Neither of us spoke.
We just stood there, side by side, eyes locked in a conversation we were too afraid to voice out loud.
It was strange how, after everything, we had ended up here. Ten years ago, I hated him. Ten years ago, he had destroyed everything I believed in, everything I trusted. And yet, here he was, standing in front of me, looking at me like he wanted to say something—like he wanted to fix something.
But some things couldn't be fixed.
Some wounds healed, but the scars remained.
Eugene let out a slow breath, his fingers twitching at his side.
For a moment, I thought he was going to say something.
For a moment, I thought I wanted him to.
But instead, he reached for the doorknob to his room and gave me one last look.
"Sleep well, Sev."
I nodded, quickly turning away before my resolve could crumble. "You too."
I pushed open my door and stepped inside, waiting until I heard the soft click of his door closing before I leaned against mine, exhaling a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
My heart was beating too fast.
What the hell was I doing?
I pressed my fingers to my temples and forced myself to move, walking toward the small Christmas tree we had decorated together a few days ago. The lights flickered softly, casting warm shadows across the room.
Christmas.
A holiday I should have been celebrating with my family in Italy. A holiday he should have spent in Esperanza if things were different. And yet, we were both here. Together.
I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts that threatened to consume me.
I needed to sleep.
I changed into my pajamas, but even as I lay down, I couldn't stop replaying everything in my head—the way his fingers fit so naturally between mine, the way he looked at me when we stopped in front of our doors, the way my heart had betrayed me by racing at the sound of his voice.
Damn it.
I turned on my side, closing my eyes tightly.
I had to stop thinking about Eugene Dominguez.
I had to stop feeling things for him.
But deep down, I already knew—it was too late for that.