Meredith's legs carried her swiftly across the training grounds, her heart lightened by the progress she'd made. Confidence surged through her as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
But as she turned a corner, her gaze caught on Xavier. His silhouette was unmistakable against the sunset, his broad shoulders weighed down by the pack slung across his back. She blinked in surprise. He was supposed to be gone for a year on a mission, and yet, here he was.
Something in his posture stopped her from calling out immediately. He looked different. He seemed… sad. Her chest tightened.
She softly called out, “Xavier!”
He heard her. She could tell by the slight shift in his shoulders, the way his steps faltered for a split second. But he didn't turn around. He kept walking, his eyes set
