Chapter 183

The cemetery was lush and green, with the wind whispering softly through the trees. The Johnson family plot sat at the hill's highest point, and Eira walked up the path with Matthew close behind. "Matthew, how many years have we known each other?" Eira suddenly broke the silence. "Almost twenty, I think." "That long, huh? Time really flies." Eira sighed with a wry smile. Matthew chuckled softly, a warm look in his eyes. "Yeah. I still remember how you looked when you were little..." "So, when did you start having feelings for me?" Eira stopped walking, turning to glance back at him, her gaze fixing on the winding steps ahead. Matthew paused too, a little caught off guard, staring into her eyes. People in Oceanvein always went on about Alexander and Sophia being childhood sweethearts. But truth was, Eira and Matthew were the real deal-they'd grown up together since forever. Their families had been close for generations. From as far back as Matthew could remember, Eira had always been by