But neither had truly escaped their past. Leila's former fiancé had left her broken, doubting love. Aiden carried guilt over a tragedy he never spoke of—a stormy night, a misjudged call, and the death of a sailor who'd trusted him. One evening, as they sat under a starlit sky, a simple question unraveled them both. Leila asked, "What scares you the most?" Aiden's silence said everything.
Later that night, he left a seashell on her doorstep—a small gesture of vulnerability. She understood. Vulnerability bled into their bond, and the healing began. Slowly, gently, without pressure—just presence. And presence turned into trust.