Chapter 114

Alex’s POV

The moment stretched between us, heavy but alive.

Emily’s words, “I don’t know if I can forgive you, but I’m listening” kept echoing in my chest like the only lifeline I’d been thrown in weeks.

Listening meant hope.

Listening meant I hadn’t lost her completely.

I didn’t push closer right away. One wrong move and she’d shut me out again.

Instead, I let myself breathe in the quiet, breathe her in, the lavender and candle smoke lingering on her skin, the warmth of her presence that I’d missed more than I could admit.

Her eyes flicked down, then back up, guarded but soft around the edges. It was enough, enough to let me take one more step forward.

“Em,” I whispered, my voice shaking despite how hard I tried to steady it.

“You don’t have to forgive me tonight but I don’t want to walk out that door knowing I didn’t try, knowing I didn’t show you how much you mean to me.”

Her lips parted, like she wanted to speak