Until...

The kiss lingered longer than either of them had anticipated. As they parted, David settled beside Rowan, and an enveloping silence descended upon them, broken only by the rhythmic cadence of their breathing.

Minutes passed, marked by the stillness that enveloped them, each breath a reminder of their shared moment. Finally, David gently slipped from the bed, leaning in to press a lingering kiss on Rowan's forehead.

Every fiber of his being yearned for this moment to stretch on, to linger in the warmth of their connection. David found himself questioning the source of these newfound emotions, bewildered by his own behavior, akin to that of a newlywed groom.

As he withdrew from the tender gesture, his father's words echoed in his mind with unwavering clarity.

"How can you know you love her when you never give her a chance? From the first day, you've seen her as a sinner. Give her a chance. Take her out for a month, and look at her, treat her differently, as if you've just met."

Recallin