“Roman,” she whispered again, her voice barely audible and trembling.

He stepped forward, letting the dim light catch his features. The instant Serena saw him clearly, she didn’t hesitate. She rushed into his arms, sobbing as if the last six months of fear, loneliness, and terror had all been bottled inside her.

Roman caught her—firm but gentle—his arms encircling her as if to ground her to reality. Her face buried in his chest, tears soaking his shirt, she trembled uncontrollably.

“I… I was so scared…” she choked out between sobs. “I thought… I thought I’d never…”

Shuddering, she hugged him tighter. “I didn’t know what to… to do.”

“You’re safe...