For as long as it took

“You know, I still can’t believe how much our relationship has changed. You’re all attentive and close now, that it is almost so natural.” Yvonne remarked as they walked side by side, her tone casual but with an undercurrent of curiosity.

Micheal considered her words. It was true—he had become more attentive, more present in her life. But that wasn’t just a conscious decision; it was something that had naturally developed as he spent more time with her, learned more about her, and grew to care for her in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “Does it bother you?” he asked, his voice steady but with a hint of vulnerability.

Yvonne was silent for a moment, her mind turning over his question. She was careful with her words, always conscious of the impact they might have, especially now. People who weren’t close to her might mistake her quietness for disinterest, but it was simply her way of protecting herself, of ensuring she didn’t say something she would later regret.

Yvonne hadn’t realized how