mething deep within her that she couldn't yet understand. She had expected it to feel strange, to feel like a mistake, but instead, there was a quiet sense of uncertainty that linger

through Bible verses for comfort. It felt like the right thing to do. She found herself meditating on Psalm 23:1-2:

t felt anything but peaceful, but Emily clung to the idea that

her thoughts. She glanced at the

ing we could go over some... details. Nothing

to exchange pleasantries and finalize the legal details-but they hadn't spoken since then. She'd kept her distance, and s

y cared-like he wanted to make sure things were okay between the

free. Where do

e diner on Main Street? It

n and immediately feeling the familiar comfort of the worn booths and the aroma of fresh coffee. She grabbed a seat by the window, watching

g in the way he carried himself. He flashed a smile as he approached her table. "Hey

a smile. "I figured we should go ov

him. "Yeah. I've been thinking about that a lot. Honestly, I don't want this to be weird between

n his eyes, something raw and unguarded. It made her want to understand

eling the need to reassure him, "and I didn't either. B

tly. "Yeah. We'l

und them, before the waitress came over to take their orders. Emily

w... this works. I mean, we're technically married now, but there's no pressu

"Right. But I think we should make sure we're on the same page

replied quietly. "I don't want to push anything. I just... I don't know how to make this work without complicating thi

rt skipped

er rhythm. They ate in relative silence, but there was an unspoken understanding between t

close to hers. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, grateful for the umbrella he had brought along. As they walked down the street, their pace slow and unhurried, a strange feeling o

ice soft. "I guess we shoul

hroat at the sudden shift in c

is because you wanted to be stuck in some fake marriage. You've got your own l

ght. He wasn't the carefree guy she thought he was when she agreed to marry him. There was depth to him, vulnerability she hadn't expected. I did

d, her voice quieter than she intended. "I don't know what's going to hap

smile that reached his eyes. "

sing second. Despite the absurdity of it all, Emily couldn't help but think that maybe this strange, accidental

reflecting on the day, a verse popped into her mi

ound her, wrapping her in a strange comfort. She couldn't explain it. She couldn't understan

p into the unknown. And maybe-just maybe