Chapter 22;Unlocked

Amiver couldn't sleep despite the deepening night. She felt unsure about what to do. She thought about turning the doorknob even though she knew the door was locked. However, when she turned it, she was surprised to find it unlocked. This made Amiver nervous.

She felt her heart race as surprise mixed with apprehension. Was it possible that Denmark intentionally left the door unlocked? She had many thoughts and wondered if this was a trick or if there was a real reason behind it.

Amiver took cautious steps and slightly pushed the door open. She looked out into the dimly lit corridor. It seemed quiet, and she couldn't see anyone nearby.

Her curiosity got the best of her, so Amiver stepped out and softly closed the door behind her. She walked down the hallway, her feet barely making a sound on the cold tiles. The faint light from a window cast long shadows, making the place feel eerie.

As she walked, Amiver's thoughts raced. Why did Denmark leave the door unlocked? Was he testing her? Or did he really want to give her space? She felt that there was more to this situation than met the eye.

She pondered whether she should escape or not, but she didn't know their exact location in Denmark's vast estate, and it was already nighttime too.

She reached the end of the corridor and hesitated. Should she explore more or go back to her room? Just as she was about to turn back, she heard a faint sound. It was the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Driven by curiosity, Amiver followed the sound until she found a pair of large doors. She opened them and stepped onto a balcony. The view took her breath away.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the sea. The waves sparkled in the moonlight, their rhythmic movement soothing and mesmerizing. Amiver leaned against the railing, her worries momentarily forgotten.

Suddenly, she jumped a bit when she heard footsteps coming closer from behind. A gentle voice spoke, surprising her.

"You couldn't sleep either?"

Amiver turned around quickly, her heart racing from the surprise. She found herself face to face with Denmark, his expression calm and contemplative in the moonlight. Despite the shock, there was a hint of familiarity in his presence that made her both uneasy and intrigued.

"No, I couldn't sleep," Amiver admitted, her voice soft as she looked away, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. "Too many thoughts, I guess."

Denmark leaned against the railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the moonlit sea. "I know what you mean. Sometimes the quiet of the night brings out the things we've been avoiding."

Amiver nodded, her mind filled with the complexity of their situation. "Yeah, it's like everything becomes clearer, but at the same time, more confusing."

Amiver took a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her shirt. "Denmark, why didn't you lock my room? Why did you leave it open?"

Denmark's gaze turned thoughtful, as if he had been expecting this question. "I wanted to give you the choice, Amiver. I know that what I did—bringing you here against your will—was wrong. I thought that if I showed you that I trust you enough to leave the door unlocked, it might help you see that I'm serious about making amends."

Amiver's brows furrowed, her gaze still searching his eyes for sincerity. "But what if I had tried to leave? What if I wanted to escape?"

A flicker of regret passed over Denmark's features. "If you had wanted to leave, I wouldn't have stopped you. I want you to know that I'm not trying to imprison you here. I want you to choose to be here, to give us a chance."

Amiver's heart wavered again, torn between her doubts and the vulnerability she saw in Denmark's expression. "And what if I decide I don't want to be here? What if I can't forgive you?"

Denmark's gaze held steady. "Then I'll accept that decision, Amiver. I won't force you to stay against your will. But I hope that you'll give yourself and us a chance. I promise to respect whatever choice you make."

Amiver's chest felt tight as she processed his words.

"I need time, Denmark," she finally admitted, her voice tinged with both hope and caution.

After their emotional talk, Amiver went back to her room. She lay on her bed, staring at herself in the mirror, thinking about what Denmark had said. She felt a lot of different feelings—she felt sorry for him and realized she might be pretending that she had moved on and didn't love him anymore.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes got wet with tears. She felt torn between the pain from the past and the small hope for the future. She had put up walls around her heart to protect herself, but now those walls felt weak, like they might fall down and show her true feelings.

She let out a sigh, feeling both annoyed and sad. These mixed feelings made her feel like she was drowning. She had tried so many times to convince herself that she was okay without Denmark, that she didn't still love him. But the truth was, she did love him deep down, and that feeling hadn't changed over time.

Feeling upset, she covered her face with her hands, hiding in the darkness of her room. Her heartache reminded her how strong her feelings were and how hard it was to move on.

Amiver wished she could forget the pain, the memories that hurt her, and the love she hadn't let go of. She wanted to understand her feelings better and figure out how to deal with them.

With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, letting herself feel the sadness she had been avoiding.