Aurora’s heart pounded as she stepped into the warm glow of the restaurant, her eyes instantly finding Chae’s familiar figure. Her eyes met his, the world around her seemed to still. He was finally home. Relief flooded her chest, threatening to spill over in tears, but she swallowed them down, offering him a smile instead. Yet, beneath the joy, a quiet unease lingered—whispers she’d heard, the prickling feeling of unseen eyes. She wanted to tell him, needed to, but how could she, when all she wanted right now was to lose herself in his presence? So she settled for the simplest truth, slipping her fingers into his, holding on just a little tighter. “I missed you,” she whispered, hoping he could hear everything she wasn’t saying. @chaseknight


















