The scars from my mother, the shadows of bloodlines and curses… they were still there. But they no longer had the power to devour all my joy and courage so easily. I was learning to accept the past, and to cherish the warmth and light I now possessed all the more. The second half began. After a fierce tackle, Luke and an opponent went down together, and the referee blew his whistle. Luke got up quickly, signaling he was fine, but his gaze traveled across the field, unerringly finding me in the stands. Our eyes met across the distance. His face was flushed with exertion and sweat, but his expression was exceptionally tender and focused, as if checking to make sure I was okay. I looked right back at him, without any evasion, my eyes filled with sincere, unreserved emotion—admiration, love, c
