EMMALINE
For a moment, I think I’m dreaming.
The world feels soft and quiet, like I’ve fallen into one of those rare, fragile moments where nothing hurts.
Then I feel it, the warmth of a hand brushing against mine. The faint smell of pine and smoke that always clings to him. My heart stirs before my eyes even open.
When I do, he’s there. Sitting on the edge of my bed, the firelight spilling gold across his face. His eyes are shadowed, unreadable, but softer than I’ve seen in weeks.
“Stay with me,” I whisper before I can stop myself.
The words escape like a secret, trembling and raw. For a moment, I think he might leave — like he always does when things get too close. But instead, he stills. His hand tightens gently around mine.
Something breaks open inside me. All the walls I’ve bui
