ut there was a rift between them now, one neither seemed able to cross. They still saw each other at school, still shared classes and moments, b

ch an integral part of his life that imagining a future without her felt unbearable. And yet, he was painfully aware of the weight of her family's disapproval-how it loomed

ressure. Her father had doubled down on his refusal to accept Jacob, and her mother had become increasingly distant, torn between her loyalty to her husband and her love for Emily. Even fri

tears welling in her eyes, wondering if love was supposed to be this hard. Was it worth it to fight for something that seemed to b

ment, her emotions churning. She needed to talk to Jacob, to figure out what they were going to do. She couldn't kee

as J

ly, her voice shaky as

h the same exhaustion Emily felt. "I've

e past few days, and the fear of what might come next had her stomach in knots. "

et, peaceful place where they had spent countless afternoons toget

ed, her voice bare

ir was still and quiet, with only the soft sounds of nature filling the space between them. Jacob stood wa

urned to face her, his expr

ow and careful. "And about what's been happening with your f

. It's just... everything else. The pressure, my dad, all the expectations.

lt. "I know. And I hate that I'm part of what's causing you al

lose you, Jacob. I love you. But I don't know how much longer I ca

between them. Jacob looked down at the ground, his hands clenched into fists. "Maybe.

ded in her chest.

-together-or we let it go. I don't want to keep dragging this out if it's just going

uilt, was unbearable. But Jacob was right-something had to change. They couldn't keep living in this state

d of being afraid. I'm tired of letting my father's opinions dictate my life. I want

s in his. "You won't be alone, Em. I'll be right there with y

her as she spoke the words. "I love you, Jacob. And I'm done hiding

tentative smile, but one filled with hope. "I love you too, Emil

owly beginning to dissolve. The future was still uncertain, and they knew the challenges ahead wouldn't disappear overn

y knew it wouldn't be easy. There would be more battles with Emily's father, more judgment from her family, and more challenges as they tri

lt in months. For the first time, she wasn't overwhelmed by doubts or fe

she knew that Jacob

t, she realized, was the stro