Ayla
River didn’t answer right away. He didn’t interrupt my fear or hold me with empty promises. He just looked at me the way he always did; soft, steady, unjudging.
“I won’t leave just because your feelings waver someday,” he said at last. “Loving someone isn’t about making sure they never change. It’s about choosing to stay when they do.”
His words didn’t erase my guilt—but they calmed it, like a hand holding my head above water.
I leaned into him. My head rested against his shoulder.
River stood and faced me. The space between us wasn’t far, but it was enough to make the air feel heavy. His hand lifted, hesitating for a moment before touching my jaw. His thumb brushed my skin slowly, like he was soothing me not taking anything from me.
The touch made my breath catch. I was sudden
