A Clean Slate

Valerie’s POV

Slowly, with the warmth of Darius’s hug enveloping me, I started to come back to myself. At first, it was just a gentle feeling, but then, all at once, I realized just whose arms I was finding comfort within.

At once, I pushed away from him, stepping back to stand on my own.

Surprisingly, he didn’t try to contain me. He simply released me and then also stepped back, giving me more sp