#Chapter 30: Moving On

Timothy's jaw tightened, his disappointment evident. "I understand. I just…I care about you, and seeing you in so much stress, it's hard not to want to help. But I’ll back off." As I looked into his eyes, I saw a warmth and affection that made my heart ache. "I'm sorry, Timothy," I said, my voice trembling with sincerity. "I should have been more open about that with you. I appreciate your care, though. Really." Timothy's shoulders relaxed, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "It’s no problem at all." The tension slowly began to ebb away, and we found ourselves sharing a genuine, if somewhat bittersweet, moment. But I knew that it was time to go. The encounter had left me emotionally drained, and I needed some space to gather my thoughts. "I should head home," I finally said, rising from my seat. "It's been a long day." Timothy nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Of course, Evie. But at least let me walk you home. It's getting late, and I want to make