CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The cool evening breeze whispers through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and the promise of an impending night. My heart races, a blend of nervous excitement and sheer joy humming through my veins like a melody I can't quite shake. Lucas stands before me, his eyes holding a storm of emotions that mirror my own.
"Grace," he begins, his voice steady despite the tremble in his hands. "From the moment I met you, I saw strength where others saw fragility. I admired the fire in your spirit and the tenderness in your heart."
He takes a step closer, closing the space between us, and I feel an electric charge dance across my skin. Even now, after all this time, Lucas has the power to make me feel alive in a way that no one else does.
"Lucas," I breathe out, my
