Days passed since that awkward encounter in the park.

Since Eliana had let Hunter put on her shoes, their relationship had started to grow—slowly, like a sprout breaking through the earth after a long rain.

Hunter decided not to push. Every morning, he helped Olivia prepare breakfast. When Eliana woke up, he simply greeted her with a quiet, “Good morning, Eliana,” then kept his distance. No touching, no forcing conversation. But he was always there—behind the scenes, like a silent, loyal guardian.

Olivia noticed it, little by little. Hunter wasn’t the man he used to be. Now, he spoke less, listened more. Sometimes, when Eliana was drawing in the living...