Katherine Pov

My senses stirred as a tender touch danced through my hair, coaxing me from the clutches of sleep. Startled, I jolted upright, and my eyes widened in the dim light. There he was, Jude, with a warm smile playing on his lips. A rush of emotions swirled within me, and tears stung my eyes, mirroring the depth of his feelings.

"Katherine-" he began, his voice laden with unspoken words. But I couldn't wait; the surge of emotion overwhelmed me. I lunged towards him, my arms wrapping around him in an instinctive embrace. The solace of his presence enveloped me as I buried my face into the crook of...