Sophia woke up the next morning with an ease she had not known in months. The soft rhythm of Victor's breathing beside her was reassuring, an assurance that last night indeed was a step forward for them. He had shared more than ever, and though he hadn't revealed all, it was enough to give her hope.
She got out of bed, not wanting to wake him, and began to make her way to the kitchen to start the coffee. The waiting for the machine to finish found her mind wandering back to their conversation. The look in Victor's eyes had shaken her. She had known from the very beginning that he had carried a lot of excess baggage from his past, but actually hearing him admit it, seeing the cracks in the exterior that was finally showing some hints of weakness, drew her closer to him.
But still, there w
