Grayson’s hand stayed in Lena’s, his fingers a steady anchor as they sat at the kitchen table long after their plates were empty. The silence between them wasn’t as heavy this time, but it still carried weight, the weight of everything left unsaid.

Lena traced circles on the back of Grayson’s hand with her thumb, her heart pounding. She wanted to believe his promise, wanted to hold on to the hope he’d given her. But fear still gnawed at the edges of her heart, reminding her of how fragile this moment was.

“Grayson...” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if... what if the threats come back?”

His...