Chapter 23: The Reunion

And now, after he left without a word, I saw him again!

Standing in my doorway, Jason looked like a man who’d been through hell and back. The relief of seeing him made my knees weak, and suddenly, all the anger I’d been holding onto spilled over.

The more I thought about it, the more upset I became, and I cried even harder.

Hot tears streamed down my face, the ache in my chest finally breaking free. Jason watched me, his expression softening by the second.

Jason narrowed his eyes at me, waiting for me to speak.

He was stubborn, unwilling to let me off the hook until I told him everything. I shook my head, choking on sobs.

But I just kept crying, saying nothing.

The words wouldn’t come. Instead, I clung to him, desperate not to let go.

After a while, the man who had been so angry gave in. He cupped my face and sighed, “Damn it, I really fell for you!”

His thumb traced circles on my cheek, wiping away the tears. His voice was gruff, but the tenderness in his eyes made my heart skip a beat.

“So are you leaving again?”

My voice was barely a whisper, laced with fear and hope in equal measure.

“Leave? Seeing you like this, how could I leave?”

He pulled me tighter, burying his face in my hair. His words were a promise I’d waited a lifetime to hear.

I still didn’t trust him.

My heart was slow to believe, battered by too many goodbyes.

Tired from crying, I hugged him tightly and wouldn’t let go.

I pressed my face into his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. It was the only place I felt safe.

He was helpless, so he lay down with me.

We curled up together on the couch, his arms wrapped around me, the world outside fading to nothing. For the first time in ages, I felt truly at peace.