g that had passed between them lingered in the air, unspoken but felt deeply by both. Their hearts beat in sync now, bu

his posture was casual, his shoulders were tense, as if he carried a burden he couldn't shake. He seemed so much older than

way his brow furrowed as if he were constantly fighting something internal. He had always

in, how to put the emotions tumbling inside of her into words. I don't know what to say,

n you'll ever know. But I need you to understand something, Lily... He stepped closer, his eyes locking with hers. When I left... I th

thoughtful, but there had been a part of him she had never fully understood. It wasn't until now, st

u just walked away... without a word. I would have fought for us, James.

the bridge gap between them. I know," he said softly. I was scared. I thought I wasn't enoug

ars thinking it was something she had done, something wrong with her, but now she realized it was

he pain still fresh in her voice. "Why didn'

t made her breath catch in her throat. I didn't trust myself, Lily. I thought t

t I loved you. I would have stayed with you, even if

esent with her, not just in body, but in spirit. I know And I'm sorry I didn't see that. I'm sorry I let fear take o

ull of their connection. The love that had once been so easy, so effortless, had become something more complicated, more fragile. But it was still there, beneath the l

r heart echoed the doubt in her mind. Could they rebuild something that had been broken so compl

holds, Lily. But I know one thing. I can't imagine my life without you. I don't expect us to just pick up wher

ble, so willing to try again. Part of her wanted to pull away, to protect herself from the hurt she was afraid might

, she whispered, her voice trembling.

en let me prove it to you, Lily. Let me show you that I'm here for you, that I'm not

emories of their love, trying to protect herself from the pain of what had been lost. But now, standing here with him, she realize

m, her heart pounding in her chest. "Okay," she

's

lose. The warmth of his embrace felt like home-familiar, comforting, and safe. She closed her eyes, letting herse

r, his voice filled with strong emotion .

away slightly to look at him. I lo

e thing. It wasn't always easy. It wasn't always without pain. But it was real. And for the f