Alexander felt his heart clench.
He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest.
Disturbed by the movement, Phoebe's eyes fluttered open for a moment before she closed them again. Instinctively, her head nestled deeper into his embrace. Her small hands grasped at his shirt, holding on as if afraid he might disappear, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric like a child clinging to her only source of comfort.
A ripple of emotion stirred deep within Alexander's heart.
He knew he shouldn't give her too much hope. He knew he couldn't promise her a future. But selfishly, he wanted to keep her—if only for a fleeting moment.
He knew he would eventually abandon her, that he would be ruthless when the time came. Yet, before he walked away, he wanted to shower her with t
