Page 28 of Fight for You

Leo opens the front door, standing on the doorstep, his warm brown eyes searching my face for any sign of what transpired between Tucker and I.

“Hey, I saw him leave. Are you alright?”

“Fine. What do you see when you look at me?”

He frowns, clearly taken aback by my question. “What do you mean?”

“Am I a project to you?” I elaborate, voice wavering. “Someone to fix, to save?”

“Of course not,” he says, reaching for my hand. “An incredible woman who's been through hell and back.”

“Then why do I feel so…?” I whisper, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

“Because you're scared,” he replies. “And that's okay. But with me, you'll always have a choice. I won't force you into anything. You can take all the time you need.”

The contrast between Leo's patient understanding and Tucker's desperate pleas is not lost, each man representing a different path for my future.

“I want you to be happy.”

As we stand there, did finding happiness mean letting go of the past or embracing it once more?

21

Leo

As Brylee sits by the window, her gaze fixes on the rain-soaked streets outside, a pang of guilt tugs at my heart. The subtle tension in the air is palpable, a thick fog that envelopes us both in its embrace. Her ex-husband's unexpected appearance has cast a shadow over our budding relationship, leaving us suspended in a state of uncertainty.

I watch as Brylee absently twirls a lock of her chestnut hair around her finger, her brows furrows in deep thought. Her eyes, usually bright and full of life, now hold a muted sadness that tugs at my soul. I long to reach out to her, to offer comfort and reassurance, but something holds me back.

The distant sound of thunder rumbles in the background, mirroring the turmoil that brews within me. I know that giving Brylee space is the right thing to do, but the ache in my chest begs for resolution. Is this the end of what could have been between us? Or is it just a temporary pause in our story, waiting for the storm to pass and the sun to shine once more?

Lost in my own thoughts, I barely notice when Brylee turns to me with a soft sigh escaping her lips. Our eyes lock in a silent exchange, each searching for answers that seem just out of reach.

Brylee needs space to process the sudden appearance of her ex-husband. The way she tenses up when she saw him spoke volumes about the impact he has on her. And yet, despite my best efforts to give her room to breathe, I can't help but feel conflicted.

She turns to look at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions - vulnerability, confusion, and a glimmer of something indefinable.

“I never expected him to show up here,” Brylee whispers. “It's like he's brought a whirlwind of memories crashing back into my life.”

I sit down beside her, feeling the weight of her words settle between us like an unspoken truth.

Our relationship has been blossoming beautifully, like a rare flower unfurling its petals under the spring sun. But now, with the unexpected return of her past looming over us like a dark cloud, I can't shake the uncertainty that gnaws at me.

Will this be the end of our story or merely a turning point? As Brylee's words linger in the air, a sudden resolve sparks within me. I take her hand in mine, our fingers intertwining with a natural ease that spoke of a deeper connection.

“I'm here for you, Brylee,” I say, meeting her gaze with unwavering sincerity. “Whatever you need, whatever you decide, I'll stand by you.”

A flicker of emotion passes through her eyes, a mixture of gratitude and relief washing over her features. In that moment, it is as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, the tension in her frame easing ever so slightly.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice tinged with emotion. “I don't know what I would do without you.”

We sit there in silence, the storm raging outside echoing the turmoil within us. But amidst the chaos, a sense of calm settlesover us like a protective shield. Together, we will weather this tempest, emerging stronger on the other side.

As I look at Brylee, her face illuminated by a soft glow from the streetlights outside, I know that our story is far from over. This is just another chapter in our journey together, one that will test us but also strengthen the bond that has blossomed between us.

And as we sit there, hand in hand, watching the rain wash away the remnants of the past, a glimmer of hope stirs within my heart. No matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as we face them together, we can overcome anything that stood in our way.

“I...” Brylee starts, her voice wavering. “I don't know what to do. Seeing him again after all this time... It's reopened wounds I thought had healed.”

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