As he reached her, he immediately wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, burying his face against her neck, his body shaking uncontrollably.
“You came back,” he sobbed. “You really came back…”
He was crying—shaking even as he cried.
Mia gently pushed him back.
She looked down at him, her brows knitting together when she saw his wet lashes, the tears clinging stubbornly to his eyes. She lifted her hand and touched his face, her fingers warm.
“Of course I’m here. Where would I go?” A small smile curved her lips. “Did you forget? We’re married. Why are you crying?”
James sniffled sharply and dropped his head, wiping his face with both hands.
“I’m not crying,” he said quickly, swallowing hard. “I’m fine. Everything is fine.”
He scrubbed at his eyes again, then straightened, clearing his throat and forcing his voice to steady.
“I was just—”
He lifted his head to look at her again.
She was gone.
All that remained was a dark, empty street. Snow covered the ground, thick and endless, the cold seeping straight into his bones. The road stretched endlessly, empty—no sign of Mia anywhere.
“Mia?” he whispered.
No answer.
Panic clawed up his chest.
“Mia!” he called louder, spinning around frantically. “Mia—!”
Nothing.
His heartbeat thundered violently as he shouted her name again and again—until—
“MIA!”
James bolted upright.
His scream echoed through the room.
His eyes flew open, sweat soaking his skin, his chest heaving as reality slammed into him. White walls. Harsh lights. The steady beep of a monitor.
He wasn’t on the street.
He was in a hospital room.
Kylie stood beside his bed. The moment she saw him sit up, she rushed forward, gripping his shoulders.
“Oh my God, James—you’re awake,” she said breathlessly. “You scared me so much.”
He shoved her hands away and swung his legs toward the edge of the bed.
“I need to find Mia,” he said hoarsely. “I have to go now.”
Kylie pressed down on his shoulders, panic flashing across her face. “James, stop! Did you forget? She’s married to another man. What are you doing? Where do you think you’re going?”
