She looked up, smiled faintly, and touched his hair. “Forever,” she said simply, as if it was already decided. The radiator clanked, the streetlight carved gold shapes on the rug. Daniel’s phone buzzed with reminders, but he ignored them. There was nothing left to do except hold onto her a little longer.
Weeks blurred together. Ethan scored his first goal, Leo finally tied his shoelaces without help, grinning like he’d conquered the world. Claire’s father sent her endless photos of overwatered plants. Daniel catalogued these small markers of ordinary life, feeling certain the world was on his side, until…