He exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair as he turns away for a second. It’s as if he’s trying to get himself under control. When he turns back, his gaze locks onto mine again, still intense but steadier now.
“You don’t do that again, sweetheart.”
“I won’t,” I say immediately.
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
He steps closer, his hand coming up to tilt my chin so I’m forced to look at him. He studies me for a second, searching for something, then nods once, like that’s enough. Relief washes through me, soft and overwhelming.
And before I can stop myself, I step forward, wrapping my arms around him tightly. For a second, he doesn’t move, but then he shudders as his arms come around me.
“I thought I lost you,” he whispers against my neck.
“You didn’t,” I reply, my voice soothing.
“But I could have,” he reiterates.
My hold tightens slightly at that. “But you didn’t.”
We stay like that for a moment. Everything else fades into the background again, until the tension finally starts to ease. It’s replaced by something softer, something more certain.
I pull back slightly, looking up at him. “I was so scared.”
“I know. She can’t hurt you anymore.”
I nod. Then I hold his soft gaze. In his steel gray eyes, I see everything he feels—the intensity and the quiet assurance of his promise, laid bare for me. Before he can say anything, I whisper, “I love you.”
The words hang there, undeniable. An unmistakable declaration of my heart.
His expression softens, almost probing. “You mean that?” he asks, his tone a little scared. A little uncertain.
“Loving you is the most certain thing I’ve ever felt,” I reply.
A wide, blinding smile graces his face. Then, a quieter but just as certain declaration leaves his lips. “I love you. So much.”
“I know.”
Something inside me settles completely. Like everything we just went through led us to this moment. To something solid and real.
“We should leave,” I say after a moment, my voice softer now. “Start somewhere new. Somewhere…not tied to all of this.”
His gaze holds mine for a second longer, then he nods slowly. “Yeah.”
“Travel,” I add, a small smile forming despite everything. “See the world. Start fresh.”
His lips curve slightly, something rare and genuine. “You’ve always wanted that. Now you can.”
My fingers tighten in his shirt. “I can’t wait.”
I smile, the weight of everything finally lifting just enough to breathe again. To hope again.
Epilogue
Asher
One Year Later
