Page 37 of Christmas with Billionaire's Runaway Bride

As my voice reaches her ears, Claire's defeated sigh reverberates through the conversation.

"Dev, what now?" she questions, weariness evident in her tone.

"Hear me out, please," I implore, sensing the need for patience.

"I would like to have a chat with you. Can we do that over coffee? I can pick you up," I suggest, hoping for a moment of connection. Her hesitation hangs in the air, and I hold my breath, awaiting her response.

"If you want to harm me, why don't you just send your men to do the job. Hurry up and do what you want. Don't you think that I know what you are up to?" she retorts, weariness and suspicion lacing her words. Undeterred, I recognize the need to ease her apprehension.

"Claire... honey... do you really think that of me? I need to see you," I say, infusing sincerity into my voice, hoping to break through the walls that seem to surround her.

There's a pregnant pause, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us.

"Fine, pick me up. But no tricks, Dev," she finally concedes, a mixture of caution and resignation in her voice.

Relief washes over me, knowing that I've at least secured an opportunity to bridge the gap between us. "No tricks, Claire. Just a conversation," I assure her, my sincerity reaching across the virtual space.

Arrangements are made, and soon I find myself driving to pick her up. The air is thick with anticipation as I approach, wondering what this meeting will unveil. The car ride is filled with a palpable tension, both of us navigating the uncharted territory of our fractured connection.

As we sit across from each other in a quiet coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounding us, the stage is set for a conversation that may hold the key to either closure or the rekindling of what was once lost.

"Honey, I messed up big time, and my anger blinded me. When you left, my life shattered. Do you know they're still arranging a marriage between me and that girl they liked so much?" I begin, but before I can finish, she cuts me off.

"Good for you! Why am I here?" she interjects.

"I'm sorry, baby. This should be an apology to you. How could it have taken me this long to realize I was the one in the wrong? You gave me everything, but I treated you badly. I want you to forgive me for that. I even came here to hurt you, but instead, you reminded me of how amazing you actually are," I earnestly confess, hoping for a chance at redemption.

"What do you want from me? There has to be something," she says warily.

"Just you. You will never see my ugly side again. Remember the good times, honey. You're the one who taught me a lot. You were my first, and honestly, I've been with many women, but none has ever been like you. We can start a clean slate, and this time, I won't allow anyone to meddle," I plead, pouring my sincerity into every word. However, her expression remains unchanged, a fortress of caution and skepticism.

She studies me for a moment, silence stretching between us. The weight of her gaze feels like a judgment, and I hold my breath, waiting for her response.

"I've heard these promises before, Dev. I can't just forget everything," she says, her voice a mix of pain and reservation

"I understand. I know I don't deserve your trust right away. But, Claire, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove that I've changed. Give me a chance to show you," I implore, desperation and sincerity evident in my eyes.

She sighs, a complex blend of emotions flickering across her face. "Dev, it's not that simple. Things have changed. I've changed," she admits, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her defenses.

As the weight of her words sinks in, the realization dawns that rebuilding what was lost won't be easy. The journey to reconciliation, if possible, will demand more than just words—it will require time, effort, and a genuine commitment to change.

"I need to get back home. It's getting late," she says, standing up to leave.

"I'll take you home," I offer, following her lead. As she walks with grace and elegance, my hands itch to pull her close, but I resist, leading her to my car. The heavy silence hangs between us, pregnant with unspoken words.

I signal to my bodyguards not to follow, and we embark on the drive towards Claire's residence. The tension in the car is palpable, and stolen glances reveal the changes in her. Desire intensifies, and I find myself subconsciously searching for a secluded spot, away from prying eyes.

"Dev, what's going on?" she asks, alarm evident in her voice as I change direction. Genuine fear plays across her face, breaking my heart. I stay silent, eventually parking on a secluded dirt road.

Switching off the ignition, I turn to her, my eyes burning with desire. In that moment, she seems to understand, relaxing slightly. Gently, I grab her head and kiss her lips. It takes a while for her to respond, but eventually, she does.

The kiss unfolds, a mix of longing and passion that had been buried beneath layers of misunderstanding and hurt. For a moment, the world outside the car fades away, and it's just us, caught in the swirl of emotions that history has woven between us.

As the intensity of the kiss lingers, she breaks away, looking at me with a mixture of confusion and vulnerability. "Dev, what does this mean? What are you doing?" she asks, her voice a whisper in the quiet car.

I take a deep breath, my eyes locked onto hers. "Claire, I want to make things right. I want us to have a fresh start. This, it's a way of showing you how much you mean to me," I confess, my sincerity laid bare.

Her gaze holds mine, a cascade of emotions playing across her features. "Dev, it's not that simple. A kiss won't erase everything." she says, her tone carrying both caution and a glimmer of hope.

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