George drove for a long time without saying much, his hand resting on Thalia’s thigh the entire ride as though he needed to feel her warmth to breathe properly.

The sky was already deep blue, the moon whitening the road ahead, and Thalia sat quietly beside him, her heart filled with a strange peace that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. The twins were at the back, sleepy but excited, whispering to themselves and giggling every time George glanced at them through the rear mirror.

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