The wind pressed soft against them, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Natalie stayed wrapped in Norwan’s arms a moment longer, grounding herself in the truth of his presence. The weight of him. The warmth. The subtle, quiet tremble in his chest.

When she finally pulled back, it was not with anger or accusation, but with a kind of clarity that only came after everything else had burned away.

“I need to ask you something,” she said.

Norwan nodded, gaze steady.

Natalie’s voice was low, but firm. “Do you really love me? Or was Cora right?”

The name hit like a stone between them. Norwan’s jaw tightened,...