Chapter 38: Protection

Tears streamed down my face as I questioned his decision to risk himself. In response, he reached out to touch my hair, but I instinctively recoiled. Despite the pain etched on his features, he managed a tender smile.

"I couldn't bear to let Daniel harm you," he murmured. "Even if it costs me my life, knowing you'll live without fear makes it all worthwhile."

In a poignant gesture, he retrieved a ring box from his pocket, unveiling a diamond ring. "Aria, I had hoped to give you this ring upon your graduation," he confessed. "But I fear I may not live to see that day. Will you wear it now?"

Accepting the ring, I slipped it onto my finger, striving to compose myself. "I do, Devon," I pledged, seeking solace in his unwavering gaze. "When I graduate, will you place it on my finger once more?"

His words, laced with vulnerability, pierced through my turmoil. "I've always shied away from saying 'I love you,'" he confessed. "But now, I fear it may be my only chance. Aria, I love you. Do you love me?"

Caught off guard, I grappled with the weight of his question. Amidst my contemplation, uncertainty loomed—what did love truly entail?

Amidst my inner turmoil, he chuckled softly. "Aria, don't overthink it," he implored. "I may not have mastered the art of loving you, but I've made my share of mistakes. Let go of those painful memories; you have a bright future ahead, waiting for you to embrace it."

With a gentle caress, he remarked on the regrowth of my hair, a symbol of resilience amidst adversity.