The days that followed felt like a slow, uncertain dance, where every step forward was met with a hesitation, a second-guessing that Sophie couldn’t escape. But the difference now was that Luca was still there—steadfast, patient, and unwavering. His presence had become both a comfort and a challenge, pulling at her in ways she wasn’t prepared for, yet couldn’t ignore.
Each time she thought about pushing him away, he would say something, do something that softened her defenses just a little more. He wasn’t rushing her, but the quiet insistence in his eyes, in his touch, was undeniable. It was a slow burn, but every moment they shared felt like it was carving away the walls she had built around herself.
Sophie had never been one to give in easily. Her life had taught her to guard he
