Chapter 64: Love Me More

Maya I awoke in Nate's embrace, and for the first time in my life, I didn't dread the dawn, wake up with the regret that I had yet another day to live and somewhat get by. Each new day held meaning now, a significance I had never known before. Having him by my side for the past few years had been comforting, but now... it felt different, knowing he loved me. God! Words couldn’t ever express the depth of what I felt—they were too profound, too precious to articulate. I just….loved him—that was the word. Yes, ‘love’ was the word. I couldn't contain my smile as I turned my head slightly to gaze at Nathaniel. He seemed asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around me as he spooned me from behind. His breath, warm against the nape of my neck, matched the rhythm of my own, our heartbeats synchronizing. Every cell of my body was surrendering to the peaceful feeling, not even a single strand of my hair was in alarm. So, this was what it meant to feel safe... To be sheltered, free from the burden of