The town clung stubbornly to life amid the ruins, and fresh green shoots had segue to see through the shattered walls,
swet–thered
On the streets, children’s laughter–long sheet heered thrový we souttered sunlight, sectio hope back together piece by piece,
1ted a group of chattering kids carving pumplen lanterns and orsting good made
c
Halloween was the first holiday worth celebrating since the wat
Teacher! Teacher! I finished my pumpkin lendem a small head popped into view, sexting with pride,
I smiled, patted his head, and watched the last child trot off, holding his glowing pumpkin.
With a sigh of relief, I rubbed my aching shoulders and bent to gather the shove go Knock, knock-
A sudden knock broke the calm.
“If you don’t give me candy, then-”
A low, familiar voice–tinged with playful threat–fell silent,
کر
At the door stood a figure so familiar it made my blood run cold, beckin by the dim porch light. Thinner now, sharper features, eyes weighed with fatigue and frost, but it was still Lucas
The tailored suit was gore, replaced by a battle–worn uniform stained with dust and blood, radiating raw, war hardened energy
The candy slipped from my hand, clattering across the floor like my heartbeat spinning out of rhythm.
He bent down, picked one up, slowly peeled the wrapper, and popped it into his mouth.
His eyes, deep and intense, locked onto mine like they meant to swallow me whole.
‘Long time no see, Elena,”
όπι
He paused, gazing lingeringly on my face.
‘At first, I was curious–wanted about what kind of woman you were.” He seemed lost in distant memories, his eyes momentarily hazed. “When we met, I thought you were stunning
He laughed softly, almost bitterly, “I thought–someone that beautiful might be fun to keep
‘But then…” he tilted his head, voice dipping lower, “I realized I… like who you are.”
‘You’re like a rose,” he said, steady and slow, “a thorny, fiery red rose. It pricks, but you can’t look away.”
I turned my face, not wanting him to see how deeply his words shook me.
“You took my money and vanished without hesitation,” he said evenly, like it didn’t matter. “Honestly, I thought–let her go.”
“But I couldn’t.” He stepped closer, and suddenly I was wrapped in that old, familiar pressure.
3:43 pm D DDD.
“So I came after you.” His voice dipped.
“No woman’s ever done this to me,” he said hoarsely, eyes burning, “left me sleepless, made food
taste like ash.”
I could smell the gunpowder, the blood, the dust on him–real, raw, and unshakable.
“You turned me down. I thought I’d forget. But the more I tried, the more I missed you missed you, until it drove me mad.”
He reached up and gently brushed my cheek. His fingers were rough, but his touch was careful.
“When the war began, I worried every day. I feared you’d starve, or be blown apart, or… vanish from the world. That fear was worse than the battlefield,”
“I pulled every string to get back to you.” His fingers tightened slightly, as though scared I‘ vanish again.
“And every time I bled out on the front lines,” he gave a wry smile, bleak but faintly relieved, “I thought–thank God you don’t love me. If you did, you’d be shattered seeing me like this”
My heart clenched, and heat rose behind my eyes.
“But now, the war’s over.” He looked at me, unwavering and fierce.
“I’m back, Elena,”
“I’m not leaving again–I can’t.” He lifted his trouser leg. It was empty.
One of his legs was gone.
“Teacher Song… Will you take me in?”
My tears fell before I could stop them, vision blurring with emotion.
“Lucas, is this… a confession?” I asked through trembling lips.
Lucas grinned: “It’s a proposal.”
He took my left hand and gently slid a gem–studded ring onto my finger.
It fits perfectly.
The red gem glowed against my skin.
Like two hearts, finally resting against each other.
