***Alice***
The Wisteria tree stood tall and regal, its cascading purple blossoms dancing in the light breeze. It was a magnificent sight, one that had witnessed centuries of history—births, unions, battles, and healings. A sacred place that had always been a refuge for me, but today, it felt like a precipice separating love from sacrifice.
“Leo,” I whispered, sensing his aura just behind me. I kept my eyes on the Wisteria tree, gathering my thoughts, bracing for the storm of emotions that would soon follow.
“Alice? What’s wrong?” His voice broke the silence, filled with concern as he stepped closer, the warmth of his presence a comfort against the tumult I felt within. “Why did you leave a note to meet you here?”
I could feel his curiosity mingling with worry. My heart raced, the wei
