Page 103 of Into the Light

Rain shook his head. “Like I said, we are not our parents.”

My dad gave him a tight-lipped smile. “That you both are not. I am proud of you.”

There was another pause before he cleared his throat. “And thank you for honoring his presence in your lives,” my dad added. “I didn’t know him, but I know what it’s like to lose someone you love unexpectedly.”

Tears welled up, but I’d kept them at bay, and I would not break down now.

Dad turned to leave, his arm draped over Walsh’s shoulder, leaving the two of us in the quiet, dimly lit diner.

A prolonged silence settled between us until he extended his arms, and I practically rushed into them, bridging the gap swiftly. This was where I belonged. This was safe.

“I’m not running away anymore,” I murmured into his chest, eliciting a soft moan as he buried his face in my hair.

I pulled back slightly, locking eyes with him. “Well, maybe just in the bedroom,” I jested, and we shared a light chuckle as his hands moved to lift my chin, tilting it upward. He leaned in until our foreheads met.

“I’d cross the earth, traverse heaven, and brave the flames of hell if it meant chasing you, because you are mine,” he declared.

“And you’re mine.” I sealed my declaration with a kiss, and in that moment, the world melted away.

Rain gathered our belongings, stashing the copies of evidence in the backpack he’d brought. He paused to gaze at the ultrasound photo printed on the black crinkly paper before tucking it safely into his pocket.

“I want you to write about her when you’re ready. I want you to write about him. Tell their story, Ember,” he requested. “Your story.”

I fought back tears threatening to escape, determined not to cry.

In silence, we left the diner hand in hand. The rare sunlight in Isles illuminated our faces, as if sending a sign from above.

I stopped right at the entrance to smile as Rain looked at me. “I’ll meet you at the Jeep,” he said, recognizing I needed a moment alone.

He walked toward the car, and my thoughts wandered to Ash, to us, but most of all, to Rain. He had been an unwavering pillar of strength during the most challenging period of my life, believing in my ability to conquer anything and everything.

I loved Ash with every fiber of my being, yet something had always felt incomplete between us. He was often distant and inconsistent, fostering a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With Rain, there was unwavering honesty. He saw me for who I was—a fusion of the sheltered, frightened girl I used to be and the woman I’d become in Isles.

Pausing as the sun bathed my face, I glanced over at the Jeep where Rain was settling into the driver’s seat.

There was one thing I lied about—I wasn’t done running.

I’d keep running, chasing him every single day of my life, pursuing him to the ends of the earth, too. He found my scattered pieces and helped me stitch them back together, becoming an essential part of my entity. I’d never cease chasing that feeling.

“Hey, wait for me,” I yelled, a smile returning to my face as he grinned. “Let’s go to our house in the countryside.”

Chapter thirty-five

Three Months Later

I was running late for the final exam, which was unlike me. I stayed up late last night, meticulously editing the photos I needed to present in class. As I pushed open the massive wooden door to the building in Isles, the rain and gloom outside didn’t match my internal rush I was feeling for being late. I blamed it on the adviser meeting I had to have this morning, but ultimately, I knew it was my own fault.

My academic adviser had encouraged me to take the required summer classes, which would allow me to graduate a year earlier than planned. Despite all the challenges I’d faced, I was still on track to achieve my original goal.

Clutching a large envelope containing my final assignment, which was a collection of images, I entered the building and quickly sent a text to Rain, asking him to save me a seat.

I practically sprinted down the long underground hallway to the classroom. When I burst through the door, I was met with an immediate rush of embarrassment. I’d arrived late, and our professor was already present and starting the final exam presentation.

“Sorry,” I whispered, my face burning with embarrassment. I hastily scanned the room, searching for Rain. I didn’t need to look for long; his distinctive long black hair made it easy for me to spot him in the crowd. In some cosmic way, I could always find him, even if we were in the most crowded place. I was drawn toward him.

I hurried over to Rain and took the empty chair next to him. Concern filled his blue eyes as he looked at me.

“You’re never late. Are you okay?” he inquired. I lifted the envelope containing my final assignment, then settled back in my seat.

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