Alexâs Journal - Fairfax Gardens
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Today was the supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
This morning, I bumped into him just outside the Fiction Burns bookstore. My heart raced, and the words spilled from my lips:
"I love you!"
He didn't speak--he never does--but he responded with that heroic pose I love so much, bold and confident, the gesture that meant more to me than any words ever could. Warmth rushed through me, convincing me this meant we were truly together.
I laughed through my tears, feeling lighter than I had in years. This was it--my second chance!
"I'm just the luckiest woman in the world," I told him, tears of joy blurring my vision. "I never thought I'd find happiness again. I never thought I'd deserve it."
My breath hitched; I had to tell him everything. He had the right to know.
"I--there's...something I've never told you," I began, trembling. "I almost got married once before. He was a sweet boy, but...we were both so young. Too young. I got scared and ran away on the day of the wedding. I hurt him so badly. He...he took his own life. I've carried that guilt with me all these years, never dreaming I could love again. Until I met you."
His face remained calm and warm. I felt accepted, forgiven. Tonight, we agreed to meet again to truly begin our future together. I rushed home, my heart singing and my mind flooded with dreams of the life we'd share.
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I burst through the door, my excitement echoing off the walls. "Mother! Mother!"
She hurried from the kitchen, wiping flour-covered hands on her apron, eyes wide with surprise and concern. "Alex! What's all this shouting about?"
I took her hands eagerly, nearly dancing on the spot. "It's him, Mother! I--I think he will ask me to marry him!"
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My voice shook with delight, and my face hurt from the strength of my smile.
"Oh, Alex, that's wonderful!" she said, smiling cautiously. Her eyes searched mine, genuine happiness shining through but tempered with worry. "But...are you sure you're ready? After Victor--"
"I'm ready," I insisted, my voice firm and clear. "This is different! He's different. I've never felt this sure of anything."
Mother nodded slowly, squeezing my hands gently. "Tell me exactly what happened. Why do you think he'll propose?"
"Well, we were standing outside of Fiction Burns, and I told him--I told him I loved him." I flushed, remembering how boldly I'd spoken. "And he didn't say anything, of course, but he did that heroic pose, you know, the one he always does; flexing his Guild-honed muscles. Then--" I giggled, recalling the absurd moment. "He did this silly thing with his hands--like little puppets, just chattering away at each other, and then he made them kiss!"
Mother raised her eyebrows, trying to suppress a smile. "Like puppets?"
"Yeah!" I laughed, feeling ridiculous but joyous. "Just his bare hands, flapping about and kissing. Then he blew me a kiss, and I just knew he meant we should meet tonight. I suggested Fairfax Gardens, and he whistled at me when I left! Don't you see, Mother? It's perfect! Why else would he do something so wonderfully silly?"
Mother chuckled warmly, shaking her head. "He certainly has an odd way of communicating, doesn't he? But, if he makes you smile like this..." Her expression softened. "Then go and be happy, my dear. You've waited long enough."
I hugged her tightly, my heart soaring. "Oh, thank you, Mother! This really feels like a new beginning."
Her arms tightened around me, holding me a little longer than usual. "That's all I've ever wanted for you, Alex."
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Now it's late. Everything has changed.
He arrived tonight, but his boots scuffed slowly along the cobbles, and he wouldn't look me in the eyes. Something about him was wrong--his presence darker, heavier somehow. Without a word, he thrust a letter into my hands. His eyes were cold and devoid of emotion as I unfolded it, my fingers trembling.
"Dear Alex. It's time for you to know the truth. I don't love you. I've never loved you. This was all a game for me. You are empty and deceitful, and I hope you never find the slightest glimmer of happiness in this life."
My eyes snapped up to meet his, desperately seeking some explanation, some hint this was all a terrible mistake.
But his expression twisted into a heinous smirk, and I could see a fire burning in his eyes.
My knees gave way beneath me, crashing painfully onto the cold cobblestones. I clutched the letter, sobbing, my heart hammering painfully in my chest. A bitter, metal taste flooded my mouth as I stared up at him in shock and disbelief. I thought I was going to be sick.
"What? I don't...I don't understand," I gasped. "This was...it was all a trick? No, it can't be true. It can't be true. No!"
Yet he simply turned away, leaving me kneeling alone, my heart shattering as the letter crumpled in my shaking hands.
As he departed, the moonlight caught his profile, and I swore I saw shadowy horns flicker above his head. Or was it just my grief twisting the shadows?
Did he truly write that horrible letter? Could someone else have done it to hurt me? But the fire in his eyes, the horns I imagined--there was no mistaking it. The Hero I loved had been a lie.
Everything is cold now--hollow.
"It can't be true."
The words blurred, and for a moment, I was back on that cliff; Victor's face staring back at me, then fading into the fog.