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Chapter 9 - When Comfort Turned Into Guilt

Saarah and Ryan went on a vacation together, hoping to fix everything that had slowly started breaking between them. At first, things seemed to improve. They spent time together—walking along quiet roads, sharing meals, and trying to bring back the comfort they once had. Saarah truly believed that this trip could heal their relationship. She smiled more, trusted more, and tried her best to forget all the pain Ryan had caused her in the past.

For a few days, everything felt almost perfect.

But sometimes, peace is just a calm before the storm.

After two or three days, something happened… something that shattered everything.

It was that one night—the night that broke Saarah completely.

The night that forced her to leave.

The night that led to her accident… and her lost memory.

And the truth of that night… was something only Ryan fully knew.

Saarah knew it too—but her memory had buried it deep inside her mind.

And now, bringing those memories back had become necessary.

Dr. Kevin, being both a doctor and a sharp-minded person, had already understood that Saarah's recovery wasn't just physical—it was emotional. He had been thinking of ways to trigger her memory.

Finally, he came up with a plan.

A dangerous plan.

But sometimes, the truth only comes back when you face it.

On the other side, Ryan had been feeling restless ever since Emma arrived. He couldn't understand her intentions, but something inside him was screaming that his past was catching up. His fear was growing stronger.

What if Saarah remembers everything?

What if she leaves me forever?

He knew one thing—he had to stop it.

But he didn't know how.

That day, Kevin approached Saarah.

"Saarah… I want to ask you something."

She looked at him softly. "You don't need to ask. Just say it."

Kevin smiled. "I'm new to this city. I haven't explored much. I was thinking… maybe we could go for a long drive. You, me, Emma… and Ryan too."

Saarah agreed instantly.

For Kevin, she didn't hesitate.

Convincing Ryan wasn't easy, but somehow, she managed. Even though Ryan felt something strange, he agreed for her sake.

The drive began.

Kevin was driving… but he wasn't driving randomly.

He was taking them to that place.

The same road.

The same spot.

The place where everything had ended once before.

As they got closer, Saarah felt uneasy.

Her fingers tightened slightly. Her heartbeat began to rise. Something inside her was reacting.

Faint flashes appeared in her mind.

A dark road… headlights… speed… fear…

Everything was still unclear—like broken pieces of a dream.

Kevin noticed.

And then… he did something unexpected.

He increased the speed.

Emma got scared. "Kevin… slow down!"

Ryan shouted angrily, "Are you crazy?! Stop the car! We'll crash!"

But Kevin didn't stop.

Instead, he pressed harder on the accelerator.

The car sped faster.

On the other side, Saarah's mind was unlocking.

The flashes became stronger.

Now she could see more—

Herself…

Driving…

Crying…

A broken heart…

And then—

A memory hit her.

That night, Saarah had returned from her aunt's house, feeling a little tired but hopeful. She had even brought something sweet for Ryan, thinking they would spend some quiet time together.

She opened the door slowly.

The lights were dim.

At first, everything seemed normal.

But then… she heard something.

Soft laughter.

A familiar voice.

Ryan.

Her steps slowed.

Her heart began to beat faster.

She moved closer… and then—

She froze.

In front of her, Ryan and Alice were standing close… too close.

Ryan's hands were around Alice.

Alice's head rested against his shoulder.

They weren't just talking.

They were lost in each other.

Saarah's breath stopped.

Before she could react, Ryan gently lifted Alice's chin… and in that moment of silence…

He leaned closer.

And kissed her.

Saarah's world shattered.

The gift slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.

The sound made Ryan turn.

Their eyes met.

For a second, everything stopped.

Saarah's eyes were filled with disbelief… pain… and betrayal.

"Ryan…" her voice trembled.

But she couldn't say anything more.

She turned… and ran.

That night, she didn't just leave the house—

She left her trust behind.

"STOP THE CAR!" Saarah screamed suddenly, covering her ears.

Kevin immediately hit the brakes.

The car stopped just before a truck passed by.

Silence.

Saarah's eyes were filled with tears.

This time… everything was clear.

No more blurred images.

No more confusion.

She remembered.

Everything.

Back home, Saarah stood in front of everyone.

Her silence was heavier than anger.

She looked straight at Ryan.

"We are getting married, right?" she said coldly. "Then answer me honestly… what happened that night?"

Ryan tried to avoid it.

But Saarah didn't let him.

And then—

She revealed everything.

Every detail.

Every pain.

Every betrayal.

The room went silent.

Ryan couldn't speak.

Saarah broke down completely and fell to the ground.

Before Ryan could react, Kevin rushed forward and held her.

"You don't have to stay here," he said softly. "Come with me."

And she did.

Sara was completely shattered. Her heart felt unbearably heavy, as if all the pain she had been holding inside had finally burst out. Tears kept streaming down her cheeks, and she had completely lost control over herself.

In a trembling voice, she suddenly said,

"Kevin… please stop the car…"

Without wasting a second, Kevin pulled the car over to the side.

The next moment…

She turned back toward Kevin… and without thinking, she rushed into his arms.

This time, it wasn't just a hug…

She held him as tightly as she could, as if she was afraid of losing him.

Kevin froze for a second…

then slowly, he wrapped his arms around her too.

Sara quickly opened the door and stepped out. But the moment her feet touched the ground, they wobbled badly. Everything in front of her started to blur.

"Sara…" Kevin rushed towards her in panic.

She couldn't even take a proper step… and suddenly lost her balance. Just as she was about to fall, Kevin caught her instantly.

But this time, she was too weak to hold herself together… and completely collapsed into his arms.

Without a second thought, Kevin lifted her in his arms.

His heart was racing, but his grip was steady — as if he wouldn't let anything hurt her.

In her fragile state, Sara clutched his shirt tightly and rested her head against his chest.

Kevin quickly carried her back to the car, opened the back door, and carefully laid her down on the back seat.

He immediately sat beside her.

Sara couldn't hold it in anymore and clung to him, her heart heavy with hurt, she rested against his chest… her breathing slowly calming down, but her heart still racing.

He placed his hand gently on her head and began to soothe her softly.

"Shhh… everything will be okay… I'm here," he whispered in a calm, reassuring voice.

Sara kept crying against his chest…

her hands gripping his shirt even tighter.

"Please… don't ever leave me…" her voice trembled.

Kevin closed his eyes for a moment…

as if he was feeling everything she was going through.

"I will never leave you… I promise… I will always be with you…"

Sara moved even closer to him…

now there was no space left between them.

After a few moments, Kevin gently held her face in his hands…

and wiped her tears with his thumbs.

"Sara… look at me…"

Slowly, she lifted her eyes.

Their gazes met…

And in that moment…

Everything seemed to stop.

Sara slowly moved closer to Kevin…

her breathing getting heavier…

and her eyes filled with a mix of pain, comfort, and a deep, unspoken connection.

Kevin tried to pull back slightly…

"Sara… this isn't right… we—"

But Sara gently shook her head…

her eyes still wet, but now filled with determination.

"Please… right now… I just need you…"

Hearing this, Kevin's control began to slip away.

He wanted to stop…

but his heart refused to listen.

Sara moved even closer…

Their breaths collided…

And then…

Sara leaned in first.

Their lips met softly.

For a moment, both of them froze…

As if they couldn't even understand what was happening.

But then…

Kevin closed his eyes…

and gently pulled her closer.

Now it was no longer just a moment…

It had turned into a flow of emotions.

Their grip on each other tightened gradually…

as if neither of them wanted to let go.

Sara held onto his collar…

and Kevin placed his hand on her back, pulling her closer.

After a while… her breathing became completely calm.

She had fallen asleep in his arms.

Kevin noticed that Saara was shivering badly from the cold, her body completely freezing.

So he adjusted her clothes first so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable… He then started taking off his shirt. While doing so, he noticed that Saara was holding onto the collar of his shirt very tightly, as if she didn't want to let go of him in that moment. Kevin softly touched her hand, and she slowly loosened her grip, moving her hand to the back of his neck—as if silently trusting him. Kevin quietly helped her wear his shirt properly and covered her well. But Saara was still shivering, the cold not leaving her body.

He reached beside the car seat and found a bedsheet. Carefully, he wrapped Saara in it, making sure she was fully covered and warm. Then he also took the remaining part of the sheet over himself, sharing the warmth without saying a word.

Kevin carefully wrapped Saara in the bedsheet. Gradually, her shivering began to ease, and a faint sense of comfort started to return to her body. Exhausted and weak, Saara held onto Kevin even tighter and, in her sleepy state, softly said, "Please… don't leave me."

To comfort her, Kevin gently stroked her hair and said in a calm voice, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll always stay with you, and I'll always protect you."

Hearing this, Saara felt even more at peace and slowly began to relax in his arms.

Kevin then held her more securely, making sure she felt completely safe and comfortable. In that quiet moment, he gently placed a soft kiss on her forehead. After that, he continued holding her in his arms until she finally drifted into a peaceful sleep. Slowly, as the night grew quieter, Kevin also began to feel the weight of exhaustion. Still holding Saara close, his eyes gradually grew heavy.

Without even realizing it, he drifted into sleep as well, staying right beside her.

In that calm silence, both of them fell asleep—finding comfort and warmth in each other's presence.

But inside the car…

a bond…

had grown deeper in the silence.

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