Chapter 4: You Are Mine
Rows of bare-limbed trees lined the path, a quiet river glimmering just beyond them.
The last rays of sunlight filtered through swaying branches, scattering gold across the snow-dusted grass and flickering along the dark water.
And there they were — Selena and Noel — hands intertwined, walking side by side as if the chill in the air meant nothing at all.
Each breath unfurled into soft white clouds, mingling like unspoken words between them.
The gentle crunch of their boots on the frozen path, the distant hum of the city, the breeze that stirred her long hair and tugged at his scarf — each tiny sound only deepened the sweetness of the moment.
In the fading light, with the sky painted in soft hues of rose and orange, Selena glanced up at him.
A teasing smile curved her lips, her golden eyes glinting with something playful.
"Don’t you feel like nothing’s really changed from our usual outings?" she asked.
Noel returned her look with a quiet smile. Then, lifting his hand, he brushed a strand of her silver ash-blonde hair behind her ear. His fingertips lingered lightly against her cheek.
In a voice just above a whisper, he said,
"How can it be the same?"
The words seemed to drift into the wind — gentle, deliberate.