014: Unexpected Encounter

Hannah’s POV

As I pulled back from Xavier's embrace, a sense of calm washed over me. His words, his touch, had soothed my frazzled nerves, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly safe.

I looked up at him, his deep blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I saw the sincerity there, the promise to protect me, and I knew I could trust him.

Xavier's fingers brushed against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. "I'll always be here for you," he whispered, his voice low and husky.

I nodded, offering him a smile. The rest of the day drifted by in a haze. My thoughts were scattered—a jumble of memories and half-formed plans. When I finally crawled into bed, exhaustion pulled me under almost immediately, but when I awoke the next morning, I found myself alone.

The bed, vast and cold, felt emptier than it should have. My eyes swept across the room and toward the couch, searching for Xavier’s familiar presence, but it was empty.

Disappointment