A few hours later

Samantha stood near the stone fountain, her hands resting lightly on the edge, her eyes distant and glimmering with tears. Her mind replayed all the moments of fear, anger, and desperation they had endured—how close they had come to losing everything, especially each other.

The sound of footsteps on the cobblestones made her turn slightly, and she saw Theodore approaching, his stride confident. As he reached her, he extended his hand, a quiet invitation that needed no ...