Chapter 65

Sarah's POV.

After a night of laughter, sex, and unexpected closeness, the world seemed to pause, allowing the moment to stretch a little longer.

I hadn't felt this content in a while. It was like waking up in the middle of a perfect dream, warm and safe.

The next morning. Richard stirred beside me on the couch, and I glanced over, a smile creeping onto my face.

His hair was tousled, and he had that peaceful look on his face like everything in the world was finally right.

I'd grown used to seeing Richard as this serious, nonchalant cold guy, but lately, there was this softer side of him I hadn't fully noticed before. Or maybe he was just letting me see it now.

A thought started bubbling in my mind, one I hadn't dared entertain before now: could we make this work?

This feeling between us was new, hopeful, and so different from what I'd expected. My heart raced a little faster as I imagined a life with Richard-a real, shared life, with all the messy, funny, warm moments that came with it. "Morning," Richard mumbled, eyes barely open, his voice warm with sleep.

"Morning," I replied softly, trying to keep the swell of emotion from overtaking my voice.

He blinked a few times, a gentle smile on his lips. "Do you want coffee? I think I can manage that much."

"Only if you make it as strong as last time," I teased, remembering how he'd practically jolted me awake with the strength of it.

Richard chuckled and stood up, stretching before shuffling into the kitchen. I stayed on the couch, pulling a blanket around me, and listened to the clink of mugs and the sound of the coffee brewing.

mornings we might share like this, if this

think about

mugs, he gave me a

taking a few seconds to gather my thoughts. "Just...

down, his face softening. "Yeah? What are

guess I just wonder what you see for yourself-like, where you want

spent a lot of time focusing on the wrong things. But lately... I've been realizing that what I want isn't out there

mean, a real partnership. I want us to be there for each other, to build something we're both proud of. I know I've made mistakes, but

him, his sincerity shining through, and felt my heart

"I'm scared too. But that's kind

the assuring, now

squeezing his hand. There was something grounding in his touch, a promise

plans or perfect answers right now. Just a promise to

of the morning quietly, enjoying each other's company in that easy way we'd fallen

we'd ever traveled, the most embarrassing moments we could remember, and dreams we'd each kept tucked

I realized how much there was to discover about

snow was crisp beneath our

walking through a world

laughed, recalling our lopsided creation, with its crooked nose and

snowman on the block," he grinned, nudging

corner together, acknowledging the possibility of a future we could build

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