She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to focus on the present, on the comforting weight of his hand, the steady rhythm of his presence. “Thank you,” she managed, her voice still a little hoarse. “For… being here.”He offered a small, reassuring smile. “Always.” He didn’t move his hand, allowing her to draw strength from his touch.The lounge, which had felt so cold and hostile just moments before, slowly began to warm again, cocooning them in a quiet, shared space. The incident with Cassy, though jarring, had also served to highlight the profound shift in Ava’s world. The walls around her heart, which had just begun to show hairline cracks, now felt a little more porous, allowing a sliver of light, a touch of warmth, to filter through.After a few more moments, Mason gently withdrew his hand. “Do you want to keep studying, or would you rather get some fresh air?” he asked, his voice giving her an option, not a command.Ava closed her textbook, the words on the page still a ju
Last Updated : 2026-01-12 Read more