Jay murmured softly, watching her peacefully asleep, her face serene and untouched by the world outside. A faint smile appeared on his own lips as he felt a rare sense of peace, a peace that only existed when Liv was safe, happy, and near him.
Morning crept in softly through the curtains, filling the room with pale golden light. Jay had been awake for a while, yet he still hadn't moved. The reason lay beside him, Liv's hand.
She was still holding him.
Usually, every morning was the same: by the time Jay opened his eyes, Liv's hand would naturally slip away, as if her body instinctively rejected closeness once consciousness returned. But today… it didn't.
Today, her fingers remained intertwined with his, warm, soft, and unmoving.
Jay stared at their joined hands, unable to understand how such a simple gesture could shake him so deeply. Something warm, something dangerous, spread across his chest.
He finally, slowly, tried to slip his hand free,
