A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1446

Later on, Zephyr, guided by his heart and that dream, willingly became a stand-in for Caleb, never insisting that Katharine call him by his true name-Zephyr.

He met Katharine and became Caleb, immersing himself in Caleb’s likes and dislikes until he was indistinguishable from the man. On restless nights, he would gaze at Katharine and wonder if he was truly Caleb or if he was still Zeph.

It was years later, after bearing two children for him, that Katharine realized he wasn’t Caleb. She fled from him like one escaping a flood or a wild beast, vowing never to see him again.

Only then did Zephyr stop questioning his identity. He knelt before Katharine, desperately trying to convince her he was Caleb, who had merely lost his memories, begging her not to leave him.

By that time, Katharine had come to recognize who stood before her. Her clarity dawned from having unwittingly fallen for Zephyr, someone other than Caleb. The realization terrified her.

She felt she had betrayed Caleb, having vowed to dedicate her heart to only one for a lifetime, yet she had fallen for another so easily and even borne his children. What was she to do about her Caleb?

Katharine was tormented, barely living. Zephyr was no less affected. Their lives had become entwined through this twist of fate. It was only when Katharine forgave herself that they found peace together.

Even having accepted Zephyr and not Caleb, Katharine couldn’t forget her past love. Every year on the anniversary of his death, she would take their children to visit his grave, perhaps so Caleb could see the child he never knew. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Katharine lived bound by a sense of debt to Caleb and the child she had left behind, a life not entirely happy, yet comforted by Caleb’s presence in another form.

Who doesn’t have a complex life? Whatever the case, life goes on. Yet Katharine still prayed that in the next life, she would meet Caleb again and promised not to hurt him this

time.

Katharine’s life stood still at this point, with Zephyr still assuming Caleb’s role. And because of that dream, Zephyr loved Katharine unreservedly, their life together bittersweet.

When Bernard and Eleanor saw them, Zephyr was adding a touch of honey to a glass of honey water, stirring it before handing it to Katharine, “You’ve got to watch your diet these days, stay away from anything too cold.”

Katharine took the glass, sipping gently, then looked up at Zephyr with a smile, “Caleb’s

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honey water is always the best.”

Each time Katharine called him Caleb, Zephyr’s heart skipped a beat, a bitter sweetness he couldn’t resist, “If you like it, come to me whenever you’re feeling unwell, and I’ll make it

for you.”

Katharine stood, leaning over the bamboo table, and kissed Zephyr’s cheek, “Deal.”

Zephyr, brushing his cheek where she kissed him, half-joked, “I’ve told you, I’m considering monastic life; you shouldn’t be doing this.”

Katharine teased back, “You’ve entered my life, and as for the monastery, I’m afraid you’ll have to give that up.”

Zephyr avoided her gaze, concentrating instead on the tea leaves he was steeping, “If I hadn’t considered a spiritual path, I would never have met you, and without meeting

you…”

He couldn’t finish the thought, instead, he simply covered the teapot and reached out to caress Katharine’s face, “Since I’ve met you, I willingly enter your life. But from now on, you must never run away.”

He was no saint. If she stirred his heart, she must stay within it forever. If she ever dared to leave, he wouldn’t let her go easily.

Katharine laughed it off, “After all the trouble I went through to find you, why would I run? I’ll stay by your side, cling to you for a lifetime, and we’ll have a couple more kids to tie you down so you can never leave me…”

Zephyr knew she wished to have those children for someone else, and he couldn’t help a bittersweet smile, agreeing to her words. As they spoke, they noticed two figures standing at the bamboo gate.

The man was stunningly handsome, the woman breathtakingly beautiful. Zephyr had never seen anyone more striking, especially the man whose casual stance made him stand out like the brightest winter scene.

Remembering something Robin had mentioned, that Caleb had sacrificed himself to protect someone, Zephyr guessed the man at the gate must be the one Caleb had died for-the one Katharine resented yet yearned for. Despite Katharine’s feelings, Zephyr couldn’t ignore their arrival.

He dropped his hand from Katharine’s face and looked up, “Are you here to see me, or are you looking for Katharine?”