"I'm still angry," she said softly. "Still scared. Still not sure how to trust anything anymore."
"I know." His voice was gentle. Understanding.
"But I want to try." The words felt like freedom. Like finally letting go of a weight she'd been carrying for too long. "With you. If you'll be patient with me."
Jake's smile was like sunrise breaking through clouds. "I've got nothing but time, sweetheart." He brought their joined hands to his heart, letting her feel its steady beat. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Hannah closed her eyes, letting herself feel it all—the warmth of his hand around hers, the certainty in his voice, the way her heart recognized his touch like coming home.
Because some things were stronger than fear.
Some loves were worth the risk.
Hannah saton the edge of the hospital bed, fully dressed and more than ready to leave. Her throat still felt scratchy from the smoke, but otherwise, she felt fine. Almost normal, except for the way everything in her world had shifted on its axis.
"Blood pressure's good," the nurse said, removing the cuff. "Doctor's willing to discharge you today, but only if you have someone to stay with. No being alone for at least forty-eight hours."
Hannah nodded, not trusting her voice. Because two days ago, that requirement would have devastated her. Would have highlighted just how alone she was in this town that had once been full of friends and family.
Sarah would have been her first call once. Her assistant-turned-friend who'd spent countless mornings laughing with her in the bakery kitchen. But Sarah had walked away like everyone else when Hannah's father was arrested.
The Wilsons would have taken her in without hesitation. Mrs. Wilson had been like a second mother after Hannah's own passed. But that was before—before her father stole their son's college fund, before the truth came out, before everything changed.
And her father...
Hannah's throat tightened. All she had left of her biological family was a man sitting in prison, proud of destroying people's lives. A stranger wearing her father's face.
She should feel scared. Should feel lost. Should be worried about her smoke-damaged apartment above a half-burned bakery.
But she didn't.
Because every time fear tried to creep in, she remembered Jake crashing through those flames. Remembered his arms around her, his voice rough with desperation as he'd carried her to safety. Remembered that moment before consciousness slipped away—that perfect certainty that everything would be okay because Jake was there.
Jake, who'd spent months watching over her even when she'd pushed him away.
Jake, who'd run into fire for her without hesitation.
Jake, who'd loved her, even when she'd tried so hard to hate him.
"Ms. Everett?" The nurse's voice pulled her back. "Do you have someone who can stay with you?"
Hannah's lips curved into a small smile. "Yes." The word came out steady, certain. "I have someone."
Because she did. Finally, completely, without doubt.
She had Jake.
The memory of flames still lingered at the edges of her mind, but it wasn't the fire she remembered most clearly. It was that moment of absolute trust—knowing Jake had come for her, knowing she was safe, knowing that some loves were strong enough to walk through fire.
Sometimes it took almost losing everything to understand what really mattered.
Sometimes it took walking through fire to find your way home.
Sometimes it took breaking completely to finally let yourself be put back together.
And Hannah?
Hannah was ready to be whole again.
