Chapter 16
She saw him.
Colton Blackwood seated in the front row, his eyes red–rimmed, watching her with a desperation
that made it seem like he feared she might vanish if he blinked.
Natalie quickly averted her gaze and exited the stage with practiced calm, but her heart was pounding uncontrollably in her chest.
Never–not in a million years–had she imagined crossing paths with him again, especially not like
this.
Backstage, in the dressing room, Natalie was removing her makeup when someone knocked gently
at the door.
“Come in,” she said without looking up.
The door creaked open, and a familiar presence swept in with it.
Natalie’s hand paused mid–motion as she caught sight of Colton in the mirror.
He stood there holding a large bouquet of white roses, his expression complex, voice trembling.
“Natalie…” he breathed, voice hoarse, awe–struck. “it’s really you.”
She turned slowly, her face composed. “I’m sorry, sir. You must have mistaken me for someone
else.”
Colton stepped forward, eyes red. “I haven’t. I’d recognize you anywhere. You’re Natalie.”
There was a brief silence. Then Natalie gave up the charade.
“Yes. It’s me.” Her voice was cool, flat. “But that means nothing now.”
Colton’s tears spilled over.
He reached out instinctively to hold her hand, but she stepped away before he could.
“Natalie, I’m sorry,” his voice cracked. “I was wrong… I destroyed everything we had. I never
should’ve…”
She looked at him, her expression unnervingly calm.
“Commander Blackwood, the past is buried. I’m moved on. And I’m at peace. Please don’t unearth
what’s already healed.”
“Natalie, please!” he pleaded.
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“I know I hurt you, and I regret it every single day. Just give me one chance. Let me make it up to
you.”
Natalie shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t need your guilt. And I certainly don’t need your redemption.”
–
“Then at least tell me how did you survive? Where have you been all this time?”
His voice carried a quiet desperation.
Natalie’s tone was light, almost indifferent.
“I was saved by a doctor. He healed my wounds–and gave me a new life. The woman standing here now has nothing to do with who I was before.”
Colton froze, a bitter tightness rising in his chest.
“That doctor… is he the one you’re with now?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “He’s my fiancé.”
Her gaze met his, steady and unwavering. “He gave me life. And love.”
Colton’s face turned ghostly pale. His lips parted, but no words came.
Natalie picked up her purse and turned to leave.
“Colton,” she said softly, “the Natalie you knew died in that fire.”
“I only want to live my life now. Please… don’t ever come near me again.”
With that, she walked out of the dressing room, never once looking back.
Colton stood motionless, white roses slipping from his fingers like snow–silent, powerless, and
too late.
He knew this time, he had truly lost her.
But Colton didn’t give up.
Every single day, rain or shine, he appeared outside the gates of the Arlington Dance Conservatory,
arms full of flowers, heart full of remorse.
He sat in the front row for every one of her performances, watching her every move as if trying to reclaim the years he’d thrown away.
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But Natalie never once looked his way.
Not once did she glance his way–not during curtain calls, not while leaving the stage. Her grace was untouchable. Her distance, deliberate. Every times she walked the opposite direction after each
show.
Her gaze, when it brushed over him, was calm and distant–as if he were nothing but a stranger.
Colton felt like he was being slowly cut open by a dull blade–each glance, each silence, carving him deeper. But he refused to let go.
Then came the day-
Ethan had wrapped up his coursework early and came to pick Natalie up from rehearsal.
He stood at the ent
