Chapter 140

*JOSH'S POV*

“Actually… there’s something else you should know,” I said, swinging my hands in a playful manner as we strolled across the beach. The breeze was gentle, the sun starting to dip lower, casting a golden glow across the waves. We walked in comfortable silence, but I could feel the weight of what I needed to share building inside me.

Mary glanced at me, her curiosity piqued. “Oh? More secrets, huh? You’re full of surprises.”

I chuckled, though this was heavier than the usual banter. “Yeah, and this one’s… kind of a big deal.”

Her teasing smile faltered slightly, but she stayed lighthearted. “Don’t tell me you’re some sort of vampire-werewolf hybrid. ‘Cause that’s too much for me to handle today.”

I laughed, though her joke hit closer to the truth than she knew. “Not quite that dramatic, but close.”

We eventually found a shaded spot under a large tree near the shoreline. The wind rustled the leaves, offering a quiet retreat from the rest of the world. I sat down on the sand,