UNHOLY & FORBIDDEN
he said, “you will come back. Through the side door. Through the sacristy. Through every locked room in this house if that is what it takes. You started this when you spoke through the screen. I am not strong enough to finish it alone.”
He kissed her once—slow, wrecked, almost careful—then settled behind her, one heavy arm locking her against him. Outside, the rain continued. Inside the rectory that still smelled of beeswax and broken vows, the line they had crossed in the confessional stayed crossed for good.
The sanctuary lamp would still be burning at dawn.
Neither of them would be the same when it was.