All of Me for You, Forever: A Love That Transcends Time

rgettable, and quiet. But as soon as I saw the cream-colored paper, my pulse stuttered, betray

even years since I last heard from him, since I had convinced myself I was finall

with trembling fingers. Why now? I whispered to the empty kitchen, as

I tried to be serious, the promises we made when the world felt like it belonged only to us. I had burie

nds shook as I slit it open. Inside was a single sheet of paper, folded neat

topped lo

into the chair, clutching the letter like it was my lifeline. I

uldn't move. "Ella?" That deep, familiar voice. It was him. Jerry. Af

magnetic presence, same pain and longing I remembered all too well. He steppe

e," he said, his voice low, uncerta

aring, for every night I had cried thinking I'd lost him forever. B

Jerry?" I

"Because I can't stay away. Beca

at, the past was

it contained not just paper but all the years I had tried to forget. I took a deep breath and forced my fing

, the way he slanted the "E" in my name just slightly to the right... it was unmistaka

topped lo

a smaller apartment, two young hearts convinced they could conquer the world. His laughter echoing in the hallways. His hand find

ng him had almost destroyed me once, a

... her

mmed against my ribs. I almost didn't want to answer. Almost.

ll

really be him? My mind screamed no-this had to be a dream, some

ed the

dark eyes that had once held me captive, the same presence that had made every room brighter simply by ex

oice low and cautious, almost apologetic. "I didn't think.

ds lodged somewhere deep in my throat. Instead, I simply nod

noticed how the light caught his features, the faint crease at the corner of his eyes that hadn't been there bef

"I know I disappeared. I know I hurt you, Ella. An

ousand times in the years we were apart. And yet hearing them now... the

ely able to meet his eyes.

on. "Because I can't stay away. Because every day wit

door, to protect myself, to push him away. But I couldn

ndered if it would break, or if it would hold. And then... he leaned forward, the faintest hesitation i

"and I don't expect you to just forget. I just

ll, listening to the echoes of my own heartbeat. Because even as anger, fear, and disbelief battled inside me, ther