Fragile Strength

PIPER'S POV

I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. “Will you wait?”

“Right here,” he promised without hesitation. “As long as it takes.” I took a shaky breath, opened the door, and forced my legs to move. Each step toward the entrance felt like wading through thick water, but I kept going.

Because for the first time, healing didn’t feel like something was being forced on me. It felt like a choice.

The