Hope
He watched her open the door to her room, hesitating for a moment to glance back at him. That small, fleeting look, a brief warmth in her eyes, gave him hope. Even if just for a moment, it made him believe that things could get better.
Samuel walked back to his own room. As he closed the door, he felt a flicker of hope. It was faint, like a candle in a storm, but it was there. And right now, that small glimmer was enough. It was something he could hold on to, a sign that maybe, just maybe, things could change.
He lay down on his bed, shutting his eyes and letting out a slow breath. There was still a long way to go. They still had so many things left unsaid, but tonight was a start. For the first time in what felt like forever, he sensed he was moving in the right direction.