The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Chapter 22: Almost, But Never

In my hotel room, I packed in silence, folding clothes methodically, as if I could control the storm of emotions brewing inside me. Khai sat on the balcony, staring at the city below, lost in her own thoughts.

Then my phone buzzed. Mel.

I inhaled sharply before answering. "Hey, babe."

"Hey," she greeted, her voice light. "Are you getting ready?"

"Yeah, almost done packing."

"Okay. Text me when you're boarding. I love you."

I swallowed. My fingers tightened around the phone. I could feel Khai's presence just behind me, her back still turned, but I knew she heard.

"Yeah," I murmured. "I will."

I ended the call and stood there for a moment, gripping the edge of my suitcase.

Then, slowly, I turned to face Khai.

I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pressing my face against her back, inhaling deeply—memorizing every bit of her scent, the warmth of her body, the steady rhythm of her breathing.

And then it happened.

The dam broke.

Tears spilled freely, soaking into the fabric of her shirt as silent sobs wracked my body. I clung to her like she was the only thing keeping me from falling apart. Because she was.

But she didn't flinch. She didn't turn around. She just let me cry against her, let me hold on as if I had the right to. As if this moment could stretch into forever.

The weight of reality pressed down on me. I had to go. I had someone waiting for me. Someone who loved me.

But right now?

Right now, I just wanted to stay here.

After a few moments of crying, she slowly turned to face me. Her hands gently cupped my face, her touch soothing, grounding me in this fleeting moment.

"Hey," she whispered softly, her voice barely a breath. "Everything will be okay."

She pulled me closer, her lips pressing a tender kiss to my forehead, and then enveloped me in her arms. I buried my head against her chest, letting the warmth of her embrace calm my racing heart.

"I love you, Rain," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I always have, and I always will."

Those words cut through me like a blade, tearing my heart to pieces all over again. But before I could respond, she pulled away, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Okay, it's 5:54 already. Let's get going before I change my mind," she said, forcing a small, controlled smile. But her eyes... her eyes betrayed her. I saw the tears she didn't want me to see, the ones she was desperately trying to hide.

We gathered my things, my hand luggage, and as we moved toward the door, she stopped me once more.

"Rain," she said, her voice cracking slightly. I looked up to see the tears brimming in her eyes, the weight of goodbye pulling at her.

She pulled me into another tight hug, one that spoke volumes without words. This was it. This would be the last time we were together like this. Because who knew what would happen next? Maybe I'd be married to someone else, or she'd have moved on to someone new. The future was a blur of uncertainty, but in this moment, all I could feel was the ache of her arms around me, holding me one last time.