جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

By the time Jaxon and Brielle left Kayla’s apartment building, the air outside felt cooler, easier to breathe. The confrontation had been intense, but necessary, and Brielle felt something unshakeable settling inside her now. Not fear. Not doubt. Confidence. Jaxon had stood by her. Chosen her. And told Kayla in no uncertain terms that she was his future. Her fingers laced through his as they walked toward the café. He didn’t let go once, not even to open the door. He just shifted his grip and tugged her inside, keeping her close to his side like he needed the anchor as much as she did. The café was warm, cozy, and smelled faintly of cinnamon. A few people looked up when they entered small town curiosity never slept but no one bothered them. Jaxon chose a booth tucked against the window. He let Brielle slide in first, then followed, sitting right beside her instead of across the table like any normal person. She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not sitting over there?” “Nope.” H

Sunlight filtered through the small curtains in Brielle’s kitchen, warm and honey-like, spreading across the table in soft golden stripes. It was the kind of morning light that made everything feel gentler… even after the emotional whirlwind of the past few days. Brielle stood at the counter, pouring coffee for her mom while Jaxon set plates on the table. He moved comfortably in the space barefoot, sleeves pushed up, hair still slightly messy from waking up in her bed not long ago. Every time she caught a glimpse of him, her chest felt too full for her ribs. Her mom watched the two of them with a smile so knowing it made Brielle blush. “Coffee, sweetheart?” Brielle offered. “Thank you, baby.” Her mom took the mug, eyes narrowing with pleased amusement. “You look rested.” “Rested,” Jaxon echoed, smirking as he reached into the fridge for berries. “Yeah… very rested.” Brielle shot him a warning glare over her shoulder. He only lifted his eyebrows innocently. Her mom, on the othe

The second the door clicked shut behind them, the entire world outside stopped existing. It was just the two of them. Still warm from dinner, still buzzing from the conversation that had spiraled into something deeper than either of them planned, still wrapped in the aftershocks of the question Brielle had dared to ask him only an hour earlier: “What would you do if I had to leave town again?” His answer hadn’t been rushed. Hadn’t been unclear. Hadn’t been anything but the truth. “I wouldn’t let you walk away without fighting for you.” That sentence had been echoing in her skull ever since. She stepped into the living room slowly, almost dreamily, her fingers brushing the edge of the couch they’d tangled up on countless times now. The room was dim, lit only by a single lamp in the corner, casting warm gold across the walls and deep shadows that moved with every breath they took. Behind her, Jaxon locked the door and turned. His gaze landed on her and softened… then darkened

Sunlight spilled across Jaxon’s kitchen table, soft and golden, painting Brielle in a warm glow as she finished breakfast. She had been smiling softly, dreamily for most of the meal, and every time Jaxon looked at her, he felt the same rush he’d felt the night before they fell asleep tangled up in each other. She stood from the table, brushing crumbs from her hands. “I should go see my mom,” she said gently. Jaxon’s face softened. “Tell her I said hi.” He paused. “And… tell her what you want. Whatever you’re feeling. I want her to know how serious I am about us.” Her breath caught.. not out of fear, but out of weight. Real, warm, joyful weight. She nodded. “I will.” He stepped in front of her, cupped her jaw, and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead. Not heated. Not desperate. Something deeper. “I love you,” he murmured. She squeezed his shirt. “I know. I love you too.” But she didn’t tell him what she planned to reveal later. Not yet. II. Her Mother’s Kitchen & A Hea

The sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon by the time the small gathering around the lake began to drift apart. The soft lavender sky was fading into a deeper blue, and the tiny lanterns Jaxon had hung from the trees cast a warm, golden glow over the water. The world looked like it was holding its breath. Brielle still hadn’t stopped smiling. Her fingers remained wrapped around Jaxon’s as if afraid he might vanish if she let go. Every time she glanced down at her left hand at the shimmering ring he’d chosen, her chest tightened in a way she couldn’t describe. Awe. Gratitude. Love. All of it. Her mother hugged her tightly before leaving with Jaxon’s parents. “Call me later,” she whispered into Brielle’s ear. “I want every detail again.” Brielle laughed. “You already heard it three times.” “And I’ll hear it thirty more if it means hearing you this happy.” Her mom cupped her cheek. “You deserve this, sweetheart.” When the last car pulled away, silence settled like a blank