Chapter 135

“I want the girl who kissed me without warning because it felt right. I want the woman who scoffs at herself because it’s safer than hoping. I want the one who wears boots instead of heels and armor instead of perfume. Because she’s survived more than most and still manages to find laughter in a world that tried to break her.”

He paused, letting the silence settle just enough to hold the weight of what he was about to say.

Then, gently, he said her name.

She looked at him, startled by how tender his voice had gone.

“I want

you,” he continued. “In every version, on your worst days and your braver ones. I want the girl who still flinches at kindness but hasn’t stopped craving it. The one who apologizes for taking up space because no one ever taught her she was allowed to exist loudly.”

Her throat tightened. She tried to look away, but he stepped in closer.

“I want the you who’s still healing. The one who doesn’t know what to do with softness b