I Chose Novels & Stories

I looked at them, each pleading with their eyes for me to choose them but I was confused myself, I shut my eyes for a moment, opened them, and stared at him. “You.” I pointed. “I choose you.”

Like the words had been placed there deliberately, right where I needed them most. Nathan gave Joshua an eye's approval nod. Every year of their history in it. Joshua held it one second, then turned to me. My eyes were filled with water because I was done pretending. I couldn't hold all of this inside. "I spent a long time waiting to be chosen," I said. My voice barely held. "Not picked. Not needed. *Chosen.*" The word landed in my whole body. "You earned it, Joshua. Every single part of it." I tightened my hands around his. "I choose you. Not because I have to. But because you earned it."

But a flicker of something that might have been acknowledgment. "I am not a prize to be won," she continued. "I am a person who chooses. Every day. Every moment. I choose Dante because he earned the right to be chosen—not through grand gestures, but through showing up, through consistency, through seeing me when I was invisible." Kael's throat worked. "I see you now."

"I chose you. I want you to remember that regardless of what tomorrow looks like." I looked at him. "Say that again." "I chose you. If I don't come back tomorrow. Remember that I chose you."

Before I could even say no, he walked straight into his study and shut the door behind him. I glanced at the flight confirmation on my phone. Departure time: tomorrow. I was a freelance designer; I could live anywhere. The only reason I stayed in New York was Louis, and now, that reason was gone. Walking past the study door, I heard Monica’s sickly-sweet voice. "Louis, are you really sure you want to go to the World Cup with me? Is Skyler going to be mad at me? If she’s upset, I can just watch it by myself..."

with a hint of irritation in her voice. Kevin was going to argue back but saw me coming and asked me, “Alright let’s see what lily chooses, so lily apple or banana?” looking hopeful that I will choose banana. I looked between them and said, “Come on guys people can like both, it’s not like fruits get offended.” rolling my eyes, “Now come on I’m hungry.” They nodded but continued arguing, they didn’t even hear what I said. I just shook my head at their childish act and followed them checking my phone for any messages. I saw messages from my friends asking me if I liked the town, the school and how was my day.

In my past life, by the end of it all, I could no longer distinguish whether I loved Nathan or was simply obsessed with him. After a long pause, I mocked him, "Nathan, honestly, all I ever wanted was so little, but you still couldn't give it to me. I'm my parents' little princess. Why should I let you trample all over me? So, forget it." With that, I pulled my gaze away, turning to leave. But Nathan, frantic, grabbed my arm.

He pulled back slightly and wiped away my tears. “That’s what I meant when I said you saved my life again,” he said softly, resting his forehead against mine. Aryk interrupted our moment. “You passed one of the hardest tests for any sorcerer. You could have easily chosen the path she’d shown you – the path to darkness and power.” He looked at the two of us. “You chose love and light, even at the risk of harm. Many seasoned sorcerers would have fallen for that trick. It’s not always easy to see the truth.”

Chapman Senior rolled his eyes and shot back, "I may be old, but I'm neither deaf nor blind. Do you really think I'd get something this important wrong?" "Mr. Chapman Senior was very clear. Beatrice chose Nathaniel as her fiancé," Isaac added. George cut him off. "No, that can't be right. There must have been some mix-up!" He then turned to me, desperation in his eyes. "Bea, this is a mistake, right? You picked me, but Grandpa must have misheard." "I chose Nate," I answered with a cold smile. Nathaniel's head snapped up at the way I addressed him, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"He was silent for only a moment about this blood bond… then he agreed." She left without another word. But it felt too easy. Too strange. I remembered Caspian waking at this same time in my past life, but we never had much contact. I chose him because he had spoken up for me once. If I had to choose an ally for this political marriage, I'd rather have someone who showed me a sliver of kindness than Damon, who would always hate me. I'd even planned my next move if he refused. But now… He agreed. I had to prepare. I would give him the best gift I could.