Read The Key of Hearts Page 17

  Chapter 17

  “Xavier.”

  “Is that really you, Mom?” he asked, his astonished eyes filling with water.

  “Yes, it’s me.”

  Selena stood aside as Xavier put his arms around his tearful mother. She deeply inhaled Clara’s flowery perfume—this time it was roses.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you,” Xavier’s mother said, her words drowning in sobs.

  “I’m sorry that with all of my abilities,” he declared, his voice broken, “I couldn’t save you.”

  Clara took his face in her hands. “My son, you’ve got to stop carrying all that guilt, all that mess. It wasn’t your fault.”

  “But I could’ve saved you,” he affirmed strongly.

  “I could’ve saved myself,” Clara stated. “But it wasn’t meant to be.”

  “But, Mom—“

  “Don’t do this to yourself anymore, my son. What’s important is that we're together now.”

  “Thanks to Selena,” Xavier asserted. He and Clara turned to her and smiled. Clara’s sparkler was almost as perfect as her son’s.

  That’s where he gets it—his movie star smile, Selena said to herself.

  “Mom, this is the legendary Selena,” he declared.

  “I already know her,” Clara informed him as she took Selena in an embrace.

  “I know you do, but I still wanted to introduce you two—the most important people in my life.”

  “I’m glad you finally came together,” Clara expressed.

  “I’m sorry it took me so long to accept my destiny,” Selena commented, smiling lightly.

  “You are a stubborn one,” she said, a slight tease in her voice.

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you,” laughed Xavier. “It’s crazy what it took for you to go out with me.”

  “I was very wrong.”

  Xavier chuckled. “Say that again.”

  “I was wrong. Does it make you feel good that I’m admitting it?” Selena asked, smiling.

  “Well . . . Actually, yes, I’m glad you’re saying it.”

  All three chuckled loudly as they basked in the light of each other’s presence.