the one to finally break down her walls. He had seen glimpses of vulnera

brushed a strand of hair behind Amelia's ear. She didn't flinch or pu

"I think you're the most fascinating woman I've ever met.

a hand. "I'm not prying, I promise. I just want to understand you better. You'r

her eyes welling up with tears. Lucas's heart ski

er voice barely audible. "But for now, can we just

nse of hope. He knew that Amelia's secrets would eventually

spark of electricity as their palms touched. He knew that he was one step closer to breaking d

Here is the continuation of C

arkled in the sunlight. He felt a sense of wonder at the way she seemed to light up the

rks and shared stories about the city's history. Amelia listened intently, her eyes

Lucas pushed open the door and gestured for Amelia to enter. "I want

, with shelves upon shelves of books that seemed to stretch up to the ceiling. Luc

g his fingers over the spines of the books. "There's someth

t you mean," she said. "There's something about holding a piece o

who shared his passion. "Exactly!" he exclaimed. "And

r and opened it to a page filled with beautiful illu

us," she breath

said, his voice full of pride. "I've been searching

ity. "You're amazing," she said, her voice barely above a

was seeing him in a new light. She was starting to und

f hope that he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, he had foun

elia exploring the city and getting lost in each other's eyes. As the sun began to s

ok her hand. "I had an amazing time today," he said, his voice fil

the fading light. "I'd love to," she

walked away from her apartment, he knew that he had found something

nt together, exploring the city, trying new restaurants, and laughing until their sides hurt. Lucas ha

s could sense that she was hiding something from him, something big. He t

ate, Lucas decided to confront her. "Amelia, can I a

she replied, her eye

ked on hers. "You're still holding something

eat. "I know I am, Lucas," she said, her voice barely above

ined to be the one to heal her wounds. "You don't have to be scared, Amelia," he said,

t, Lucas thought he saw a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of trust. Bu

voice light and carefree. "Let's not worry about the

hat he had to let Amelia come to him when she was ready. But he couldn't help feelin

eak down her defenses, or he could walk away, knowing that he had given it his all. But as he looked at her, her eyes sp

never seen anyone like her before - so guarded, yet so full of life. He knew that he had to be patient, that he had to let her

road. Lucas followed her gaze and saw a sleek black car parked outside her apartment building. For a mome

s asked, his voice

expression. "That's my ex-boyfriend, Alex," she sai

tioned himself between Amelia and the car. "Don't wo

h a mixture of amusement and contempt. "And

lex's face. "I'm the man who's going to make sur

threat in his eyes. He knew that he had to be ca

would fight to the death to protect her, to make sure that she never felt scared or alone again. And as he looked

would fight to the death to protect her, to make sure that she never felt scared or alone again. And as he looked

e had to be strong, not just for himself, but for Amelia too. She needed someone to

way, leaving Lucas and Amelia alone on the street. Lucas let out a sigh of rel

e asked, his voic

face. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, her voi

ppiness. He knew that he had done something g

ved her strength, her courage, and her determination. He loved her laugh, her smile, and her sparkling ey

Amelia walked hand in hand into her apartment, ready to face