Chapter 235

The steady rhythm of his breathing grounded her, and instinctively her fingers curled tighter against the nape of his neck, as if letting go would make him disappear. The room felt unusually quiet, wrapped in a fragile stillness that made the sound of their breaths feel louder than anything else. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though he was afraid she might slip away if he held her too tightly.

Moosa noticed that she has woken up and he slightly pulled back from her. The pullback was a retreat, and she could feel the distance widening even as he stayed close. A distance so short that enabled each other to breathe in the same air. Proximity so close that they saw each other’s soul through the window of their eyes. In that suspended moment, neither of them spoke. Words felt unnecessary, heavy, incapable of carrying what passed silently between them. His gaze softened, searching her face for discomfort, for resistance, for any sign that he should move away. Instead, al