us stretched longer

ns lingering behind every glance, every half-smile. He sensed

hat distan

-

to be finding comfort in each other's presence. Instead, I could barely f

acks. His voice was calm, but edged with somethin

fr

hed mine, gentle but insistent. "You're pu

The lie hovered on my

d of lies... t

wed up," I confe

rom confusion to something dark

rickling my skin. "He came to my

kering through his eyes before he

whispered, hating how

y. "Elara, I've been... showing up for you. Tryi

n't lik

e strained but not unkind. "I'm not askin

n my chest

ved more than the fragmented

w, trembling. "You make me want to believ

on lingered. He reached for my hand, then

for us alone,"

y... leaving me standing there, fragm