Chapter One hundred and Sixty Nine

Allegra’s Pov

As we're still talking, Xander reaches out, his hand seeking mine in the darkness. “I understand your fears, Allegra,” he says softly, his touch a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “But we can't let fear control us. We have to trust that we can handle whatever comes our way, together.”

I pull away, my heart heavy with doubt. “I just don't know if I can do this,” I admit, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He sits up, his eyes searching mine in the dim light of our room. “You're stronger than you think, Allegra,” he says, his voice filled with conviction. “You've faced challenges before, and you've always come out stronger on the other side. We can do this together.”

I want to believe him, I truly do. But the fear that gnaws at my insides refuses to be silenced. “I'm scared, Xander,” I confess, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “Scared of what's to come, scared of what we might lose.”

He gathers me into his arms, holding me close as I bury my face against his c