Justin gently took Kris’s hand and led her away from the window, pulling her close as they stepped further into the room. He closed the door behind them softly, shutting out the noise of the world—and the weight of the chaos outside.
“You’ve carried too much tonight,” he murmured, his voice low and tender as he reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Let me take it from you, just for a little while.”
Kris looked up at him, her eyes rimmed with pain and exhaustion, but her expression softened at the warmth in his tone. She didn’t protest when he leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple, slow and unhurried. His fingers trailed down her arms, settling at her waist as he pulled her into him, anchoring her against his chest.
“You don’t have to pretend to be strong ri
