The next day Darien decided to leave early to see Serena. He did not sleep well at all and still had not figured out what he was going to say to her. He parked his car further down the road and decided to walk towards the stable to try and gather his thoughts. When he arrived there he heard Serena's sad voice and stopped to hid behind the stable and listen.
She was trying hard to suppress her tears. "I'm sorry Serenity. I just can't look at you anymore without being heart broken. I know this isn't your fault and I'm such a bad person for it, but my heart can't take it anymore. I'm not strong enough to keep you." She could no longer control her tears.
Darien stood in silence and painfully listened as she continued.
"I guess some people are not meant to have someone to love and love them as much in return. Serena, don't look at me like that! I'm sorry, I really am. I hope these people will treat you right. Change is a good thing." She spoke as if she was trying to convince herself as well. "I'm sorry that you won't be able to be with Endymion anymore."
Her last sentences were blurted out in fragments. Her tears came out uncontrollably. Serenity's face showed sadness as well, but she instead comforted Serena by nuzzling her nose against her cheek as if to say, "It's will be okay, I understand."
"Come on Serenity, let's get out of here. I don't want to see him yet."
She began to saddle up Serenity, but caught a glimpse of her face and looked over at Endymion. He was strangely quiet as if he knew what was going on as well. She stopped and took off Serenity's saddle and said quietly, "You don't deserve this."
Without further hesitation, she let Serenity out of her stall and went to Endymion's and did the same. Endymion immediately ran over to Serenity and nuzzled up next to her.
Meanwhile Darien struggled to listen and understand what was going on. He heard a lot of hoof steps and was waiting for Serena to ride off. I'll just wait for her in the stable until she gets back. Maybe then I'll figure out something to say.
Serena watched them for a little bit then leaned in and quietly spoke to them both. "Run, and never look back. You guys deserve to be happy." With that she hit Serena and Endymion and they took off running. Serenity was hesitant at first, but reluctantly left.
Darien listened as the horses galloped away. That's weird. Why would she take Endymion too? Probably for Serenity's sake. After they were out of ear shot he decided to go inside the stable and wait for Serena, but to his surprise Serena was still watching the horses run away. He stopped in his tracks.
"Serena," he gasped.
Serena froze and turned around slowly, revealing her tear-streaked face. Never had a face looked more distraught. Darien's heart instantly split in two just at the sight. Even with her eyes welled up with tears, her beauty remained.
"Serena, I-," he couldn't put words together.
"I'm sorry Darien. I couldn't do it. I had to let them go. Please tell your wife I'm sorry."
"She's not my wife. Serena, please let me explain," he pleaded as he reached for her.
She pulled back. Her voice was soft and sad, "There's nothing to explain. I understand. You must have just pitied me or-."
"No Serena," he grabbed her hands and painfully looked into her tearing face. "I love you, I do. I've never felt this way about anyone. Not Beryl, not anyone. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid I might lose you. Serena, please believe me."
Serena gently pulled away and he reluctantly let her slip through his hold. "I'm sorry, but I can't. I've been lied to so much Darien, that I don't know what to believe anymore." She turned away from him, "Please just leave me alone. You've done enough to my heart for the pain to last a life time."
Darien's heart tore a little more at that comment. Tears began to form at his eyes for the first time since his childhood. He could not control them any longer. He was about to lose the only woman he had ever cared about and it was entirely his fault.
He choked words through his tears, "Serena, please forgive me. I'm so sorry. I don't want to lose you. I love you more than anything."
Her tone was steady and soft, "I just met you. I know what you wanted. Please, just leave my heart alone."
He hung his head and started the slow walk towards his car, but he stopped and suddenly ran toward Serena in a last attempt to get her back. He wrapped her in his arms and said, "I love you Serena, I do." Then he kissed her deeply before she had a chance to respond.
She wanted so much for the kiss to never end. She really did believe him, but she forced herself to push him off.
"You are getting married tomorrow. I will not get in between you and your fiancé. That is something that I could never do." With those last words she took off running, trying to run away from everything that had happened to her.
He watched her as her figure slowly grew smaller in the distance and his heart rose a little in his chest. She loves me. I know it. Then he ran down the long road to his car and sped back to his house. He knew what he had to do and he was finally going to do it.
