MALIA’S POV

“Lia?”

Zach’s voice pulled me out of the memory, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. His touch brought me back to the present, grounding me. I blinked up at him, trying to shake off the remnants of the past that clung to me like a shadow.

“You okay?” he asked softly, concern lacing his voice as he crouched down beside the bench, his eyes searching mine.

I forced a smile, though it felt like a mask. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “Come on, let’s get out of...