Page 118 of Broken Destiny

Every mile that separated me from her felt like both relief and regret, as though I was running from something I desperately wanted to return to.

When I finally reached the hotel, I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. I sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning forward with my elbows resting on my knees, staring at the floor.

I found myself debating the same question over and over again.

Should I leave?

Or should I stay?

Within minutesafter Jiya texted me, she and the children arrived at the hotel and parked in the visitor lot.

I watched through the glass doors of the restaurant as they stepped out of the car.

Emma held Jiya's hand with one hand and clutched Mia against her chest with the other, walking close to her side, while Geeta held Lucas's hand. They entered the hotel lobby together and headed straight toward the restaurant.

I stood up from my chair when I spotted them.

Trying to appear relaxed in shorts and a T-shirt did nothing to steady my pulse, which quickened the second I laid eyes on Jiya.

She looked beautiful, wearing a floral, ankle-length sundress and a fedora hat that shaded her face from the morning sun, her arm still secured in a sling.

The memory of the accident flashed briefly through my mind, making my hands clench into fists. Gratitude followed quickly behind it, because she was alive and walking toward me.

“Good morning,” I said, smiling as the children ran toward me.

“Caleb!” Lucas shouted, throwing his arms around me.

Emma followed close behind, her small face lighting up as she reached for me.

I bent down and hugged them both.

Then I straightened and turned toward Jiya.

Without thinking, I leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek.

The contact lasted only a second, yet it felt electric, as though a current had passed between us.

My heart thumped wildly.

The gesture felt far too natural for something I had sworn would never happen again.

She did not say anything, but her wide eyes said it all.

She looked as though she wanted to speak, but probably pushed the thought aside because the children were standing right there between us.

Seeing her filled me with a surge of energy that chased away the fatigue from the night before, making me feel fully awake.

I needed to keep my impulses in check and not let desire cloud my judgment.

I helped lift Emma into her highchair.

Then I reached for Lucas’s hand, needing to put some space between Jiya and me. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go see what they have.”

Pointing out the different dishes available, he chose what he wanted.

Meanwhile, Geeta guided Jiya to the counter and helped gather breakfast for herself, Jiya, and Emma.

Soon, plates filled with food covered the table, and the smell of fresh coffee, toast, eggs, and fruit surrounded us.