I've always thought that the world we lived in was beautiful. Everyone was born with their soulmate chosen for them and no one had to worry about not finding love.

We were no different.

We had our chosen lovers.

It was forbidden to love another person who's not our chosen soulmate.

But we fell in love and we fell hard. We wanted each other more than anything in this world. We needed each other to feel alive. We gave each other strength.

It was impossible for us to be together in this world. We had to run away. There was no other choice.

We arrived at the portal that separated our world from the human world. Endless trees surrounded us and a full moon was shining in the lonely sky, illuminating the place with a silvery glow. The place was beautiful, magnificent even.

This was it. Once we go through the portal, we could never come back. There was no turning back.

Ryder held my hand, squeezing it slightly as if reassuring me.

"I'm sorry, Nia," he suddenly said.

Why was he apologising? Was he regretting his decision? But I kept silent, not trusting my voice to speak out. I was barely holding in my tears and I didn't want him to see me cry. I didn't want him to feel bad or think that I regretted loving him because I don't. I was leaving everything behind just to be with him. My family, friends and the soulmate that I was destined to be with, but I will never regret my decision. I have never been so sure and certain about anything. I know for a fact that Ryder is the man I wanted and I knew he wanted me just as much.

There was no denying the chemistry we had. The attraction we felt for each other was beyond words. We were perfect.

"Nia, darling, speak to me," he said again.

"Will you regret it, Ryder?" I asked as I turned towards him and stared into his eyes.

I needed to make sure he was a hundred percent sure this is what he wanted. This was a big decision we're making.

"I will never regret it, love. Loving you was the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said and I didn't doubt his words, I trusted him with all my heart. His eyes reflected his feelings and his words were filled with affection and love.

We took a few steps towards the portal. Its light shone brightly and blinded us. But I felt Ryder tighten his grip on my hand as we stood in front of the portal and that was all I needed to forget about everything for a moment.

"Here's to our new beginning, love," I heard him say before we let the light engulf us as we walked through the portal.

We were two individuals who fell in love at the wrong time and place. That love broke us. It broke us beyond repair and the only thing that could fix us was the same old love that tore us apart. However, it also made us stronger.

We fought for that love and we won.

This was our new beginning, a new chapter in our love story.