"Because in a year and a half, you'll be thinking about A-levels. You've been talking about St. Peter's for months. And that's in the city."
David's shoulders hunched. "Patrick and Mauve are going there next year," he muttered thoughtfully.
"Exactly. Your friends will be there. If we're closer, you won't be spending half your life commuting."
"It's not that bad," he argued, though without much conviction.
Sage raised her brows. "David, it's nearly two hours back and forth if we stay here. Every day. You'd hate it after the first week."
He picked at the edge of his plate, thoughtful. "I could bike it if it were closer," he offered, testing the idea aloud.
"You could," Sage said gently. "And if you don't feel like it, there are trains, buses. You'd have options...options we don't have here."
David sighed, shoulders slumping as he pushed food around his plate. "Alright. I get it. I just...don't like the idea of leaving."
Sage reached across again, her hand light on his. "I know. And listen, I'm not in a hurry. We don't have to pack up tomorrow or even next month. This is just us talking it through."
His eyes flicked up, wary but searching. "You are sad here."
She didn't deny it.
"Yes, I am. Being this far from everything is making the idea of starting over feel like a huge mountain I will need to climb. But you'll have the final say, I promise," she added firmly. "If you really don't want to move, then we won't. Simple as that."
David let out a slow breath, the tension easing a fraction from his face. "Okay. That makes me feel better."
"Good." She gave him a small smile. "Think about it—that's all I'm asking."
He gave a reluctant smile back. "Fine. I'll think about it. But only if I have the final veto power."
A slow smile curved on Sage's face. "Deal."
Chapter 34
Ronin came later, as he often did. But this time, Sage was the one who broke the silence.
She asked him if he had time for a cup of tea and ignored the way his eyes brightened. He looked thinner, his sweater hanging loose on his frame. He rubbed at his eyes, the gesture heavy with exhaustion. His eyes held deeper lines and shadows that hadn't been there before—dark smudges of regret and sleepless nights.
Despite herself, Sage felt her heart squeeze. If you have cared for someone for so long, it becomes a habit, no matter how deep the wounds.
"What's wrong?" she asked quietly.
Ronin hesitated, then exhaled. "Mia's been in touch."
One day ago
The door to his office had opened suddenly, and an elegant blonde woman walked in. For a moment, he thought it was Amanda. But then...
"You can't just barge in..." puffed Paris, chasing her in.
"It's alright, Paris," Ronin said, though his stomach twisted the moment the words left his mouth.
Mia had walked into his office, and while his secretary had tried to stop her, Mia swept past as though the world was there to bend for her.
For a heartbeat he thought he was imagining things.
She was still beautiful, striking with her long blonde hair and big brown eyes in a way that used to make his breath hitch.
"Hello, Ronin. How are you?"
