Chapter 52: Damage control.

Blaze walked into the sitting room, and the sight of Astrid engrossed in the TV brought a warm smile to his face. She wore a sheepish grin, clearly captivated by whatever was unfolding on the screen.

What caught his attention even more was the fact that, despite how she almost died a few moments ago, she looked remarkably at ease, almost as if the events of minutes ago were a distant memory.

Blaze, standing there, watching Astrid with a soft smile, felt a gentle flutter in his heart. It was that subtle sensation, like the delicate beat of a butterfly's wings. As he gazed at Astrid's genuine smile, a warmth spread within him, and his heart skipped a beat when Astrid's gaze met his. There was a fleeting pause, a suspended instant in which time seemed to momentarily still.

Feeling the warmth of the moment, Blaze couldn't resist the impulse to bridge the space between them. With a soft simper, he walked up to Astrid. As he reached her, he gently cupped her face in his hands, his eyes loc