The snow didn’t feel cold anymore.
Arielle noticed it as she stood beside Noah in the town square, cider warming her palms, laughter drifting through the air. Children ran past them, nearly colliding with a lamppost before veering off at the last second. Someone tuned a guitar near the fountain, strings humming softly out of rhythm.
Everything felt… real.
Too real.
That was when the weight settled in her chest.
Not fear exactly. Not anymore.
Truth.
She’d listened to Noah’s vow, felt it anchor itself somewhere deep inside her, steady and unwavering. His words hadn’t tried to save her. They hadn’t promised miracles or safety.
They had promised presence.
And that scared her more than storms ever had.
Because now—there was nowhere left to hide.
Noah leaned closer, brushing his thumb
