“Sophie, you were never a responsibility. You were always a choice,” Alex said earnestly, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity she had almost forgotten existed in the world. The words lingered in the chilly air between them, as if daring her to hope again.
Sophie hesitated, a storm of emotions crossing her face. She had grown accustomed to guarding her heart against disappointment, but something about Alex’s presence felt reassuring, like a beacon in the fog of her struggles. The twins clung to her, shivering, their innocent eyes searching for reassurance.
“I don’t know, Alex…” she murmured, her voice trailing off. But deep down, she knew that rejecting his offer might mean another night without certainty, another night filled with fear and cold.
