Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"It's Rachael we are talking about," Emma smiled. "There was a time when you knew her better than I did, do you think she is someone who holds a grudge?"

When Oliver did not say anything, she added, "If she says that she has forgiven you, it's true and genuine. And why wouldn't she? She has found someone she loves, why would she continue holding a grudge on someone from her past?"

Pinching the space between his brows, he sighed, "I wish she hadn't forgiven me." Maybe he would have felt better if she had just shoved him aside and gave him a cold treatment. If she had lashed out on him or slapped him.

Her calm and composed behavior multiplied the guilt in his heart.

"When are you returning back?" Emma inquired. Though everything was already settled between him and Rachael, she still didn't wish him to linger around for a long time.

"Day after tomorrow." He had plans of staying a little longer but since everything was clearly over between him and Rachael, he didn't wish to stay back. Every time he bumped into her, the feelings he had for her kept crawling back, making him feel even more miserable.

"It's good that you are going back. Rachael is married now, it's not nice if you linger around her with feelings in your heart. I don't want you to cause anymore misunderstandings between her and Andrew." Emma did not hide her intentions from him. As she had made up her mind to cut all ties with him after what he had done, she didn't see the need to be polite with him.

Keeping quiet for a while, she added, "To be frank, Rachael wasn't sure if she wanted to meet you. Though she wanted to put a proper end to the relationship you both once shared, it was necessary. She was happy with her marriage and Andrew even before you came back, but I persuaded and encouraged her. Even though it wasn't necessary, I wanted her to leave all regrets and thoughts of the past behind. I wanted her to put an official end to her past and focus on the bright and wonderful present and future she will share with Andrew."

Oliver did not say anything, he silently kept listening to her. Though Emma was her cousin's sister, he had always treated her as his own sibling. He always doted on her and she did the same. They were very close and cared for each other a lot. But now everything had changed.

Because of his one foolish mistake, he not only lost the love of his life but also his little sister.

"W-Will you ever forgive me?" Even though he knew the answer, he wanted to hear it from her.

"Does it really matter?" Emma smiled.

"It does, it matters a lot." He wasn't lying. He had already lost one of the most important people in his life, he didn't wish to lose one more. But wasn't it too late to feel that way?

He was aware that walking out on their wedding day had not only hurt Rachael but also the people around them, their families and friends. Emma was one of them.

"To be honest, I don't wish to hold any grudges for you anymore." Her reply sparkled his eyes with hope. "Since Rachael has already found her happiness, I wish the same for you. I hope you find someone and this time when you do, make sure not to let her down."

Pausing for a while, she added, "No matter what you have done in the past, the fact we are family can't be ignored. If not for the blood ties, you wouldn't be sitting in my living room right now."

"I have let you down too, I am sorry." Oliver had nothing to offer but his sincere apologies. He wished he could turn back time and fix all his mistakes but it was too late now.

"You can stay here until you leave." Emma got up and walked towards her room. Initially she was planning to drive him away as soon as they finished talking but she couldn't bring herself to do so.

Her father had told her Oliver's parents had refused to let him inside the house as they were still mad at him for what he had done to Rachael. She knew he had nowhere to go, this is why she had offered him to stay in her place for a few days.

Oliver did not say anything, he just watched as Emma entered her room and locked the door after her.

He closed his eyes and slumped on the couch. His mind and heart was clouded with nothing but regret. But he knew that he had to leave the past behind and keep looking forward.

When he had left on his wedding day, he did not think of the consequence, he did it out of impulse. As time slowly passed by, he realized what he had done was wrong but it was already too late.

He knew that guilt and regret would always remain in his heart, it would always be a part of his life. Maybe this was his punishment, his repentance. And Oliver was ready to embrace it for the rest of his life because he knew he deserved it.

…..

[Next Day]

[Collins Corporation, Andrew's office]

Carefully examining the glass of juice, Samuel looked at Ben. "You did not spit on it, did you?"

When Ben threw him a cold stare, he shrugged, "Given how much you hate me, there is a chance you might have done something."

"Do you think I don't have better things to do?" Ben snapped at him. When the receptionist informed him about Samuel's arrival and that he wanted to meet Andrew, he was all ready to dig a hole and bury him alive. But he had to hold his strong urge back when Andrew asked him to bring Samuel to his office.

"Why are all the people around the Volkov's so mean?" Samuel scoffed as he took a sip of the juice.

…..