Forbidden Love

Michelle's POVIt had been eight months since the death of my brother—Sam, yet for no reason the pain crept in uninvited again today.I made my way down to the beach, hoping the sound of the waves might help clear my head, if only for a little while."Take me to the beach," I told the cab driver, my voice barely above a whisper. "Any beach."The Pacific stretched endlessly before me as I stepped down from the car, the setting sun painting the sky in shades of orange and crimson. I picked my way across the sand, dodging joggers and evening surfers. I found a piece of driftwood, faraway from the crowd and sank onto it.I was so lost in the hypnotic pull of the water,and the soft melody in my ears whispering about love and forever, that I didn’t hear the footsteps until they stopped just behind me.“Mind if I sit?”I removed my AirPods and turned to find a man standing a few feet away, hands shoved deep into his pockets. He was tall, with a strong, full frame—not bulky, just solid, lik

Michelle's POV“I’m sorry, Michelle…” he stuttered. “It’s not—uhmm.” His voice cracked, then he got down from the hood, running a hand through his hair.“I shouldn’t have done that… you don’t deserve this from a stranger. Maybe it’s best if we call it a night,” he said, now facing me, while I sat there still trying to process it all.But as the seconds stretched out, I thought about all the years I’d spent saying no to everything—not because I didn’t want to, but because I was scared of messing up, of stepping out of line, of being seen the wrong way.Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling him toward me. This time, when our lips met, I kissed him back.I leaned into him as his hands found my waist. My hand slipped on the hood and accidentally knocked over the glasses. It fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. But we were too consumed to care, as we kissed more intimately.I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he picked me up gently, wit

Michelle’s POVThree Years LaterIt was around 4:30 p.m. I was rounding up for the day at my new company when my phone beeped. I’m outside — Leo.I smiled at the screen, grabbed my bag, and waved everyone goodnight.There he was, waiting for me, looking effortlessly handsome, his soft brown eyes found me quickly as he leaned casually against his black Benz.“I’ve missed you,” he said as I got close.He wrapped his arms gently around my waist and we kissedI pulled my face away with a light laugh, and we both chuckled.“Shall we, my lady?” He opened the car door with a little bow, and I smiled as I stepped in.We drove quietly, music drifting softly from the car speakers.When we arrived, I gasped.I thought it was just a simple dinner date. I didn’t know Leo had other plans.He had booked and decorated a cozy resort—a quiet place wrapped in fairy lights, rose petals scattered across the ground, with soft music. Lanterns flickered in gold, outlining a dinner table set for two under a