"Say something." Her silence made him restless.
Zara opened her mouth, ready to speak, but the words refused to come.
What was there to say?
She couldn't bring herself to deny the truth, yet she also couldn't admit that his actions had left her hurt.
"Don't be upset with me." He pulled her into his arms. "I've already lost five years clinging to the past. Now, I want to move forward and walk this path with you. I know I'll stumble and make mistakes, but don't turn away from me. If I ever hurt you with my words or actions, just tell me—I'll keep working to be better for you."
Nathaniel's voice had carried a rare softness, and for the first time in a long while, Zara felt the wall between them crumble. His arms around her were firm, almost desperate, and the sincerity in his words left her chest aching.
The ache in her heart, the heaviness of the sorrow seemed to lift from her altogether. She wrapped her arms around him, leaning into his embrace.
