Ray adds. “You know what I do. You know who I am. And I know you deserve better than someone like me.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand, stopping me.
“But I need you to know this,” he continues, his eyes boring into mine. “You and Pete... you’re the only light keeping me from falling apart right now. The only things that make me feel like I’m worth a damn.”
My heart feels like it will burst, the meaning of his words pressing down on me. I step closer, reaching out to cup his face in my hands. His stubble is rough against my palms, his skin warm, and I feel him trembling under my touch.
“That’s exactly how I feel about you,” I say, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. “Yes, Ray. Let’s do this.”
Relief floods his face, and he pulls me into his arms, holding me so tightly it feels like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. I bury my face in his chest, breathing him in.
His fingers lift my chin, tipping my head up until our eyes meet. “You won’t regret this. I promise you I’ll keep you safe, Sophia.”
I close the gap between us, pulling his head down and meeting his lips halfway. We lose track of time as we seal our promise of a future together with another searing kiss. Outside, the snow continues to fall, blanketing the world in silence. But here, in Ray’s arms, everything feels right.
EPILOGUE - RAY
ONE YEAR LATER
Istand in the doorway of our home in San Francisco, leaning against the frame as I watch Sophia and Pete decorate the Christmas tree. Their laughter fills the room, soft and light, echoing against the vaulted ceilings and dancing through the twinkle of the fairy lights that spiral up the tree. Sophia adjusts an ornament Pete has hung too low, her hair catching the glow of the lights like fire. My son, my rock, beams at her, his small face alight with admiration. He’s just as obsessed with her as I am.
The house feels alive in a way I never thought possible. This life—this impossible, borrowed life—is everything to me. My world has always been carved in shadows, and now here I am, standing in the light, trying not to get burned.
Sophia glances over her shoulder and catches me staring. Her lips curve into a smile that sends a pang of gratitude through me. “Are you going to stand there brooding, or are you going to help us?” she teases.
“Someone’s got to supervise,” I reply, stepping into the room. The warmth of the space hits me—a roaring fire, the scent of fresh pine, and the faint aroma of spiced cider. I pause, absorbing it. This is what home is supposed to feel like.
“Supervisor, huh?” she says with a raised brow, placing her hands on her hips. Pete bursts into giggles and throws a piece of tinsel at me. I catch it mid-air, laughing, and toss it back.
Sophia takes out her phone and gestures for Pete and me to come closer. “Let’s call my parents,” she says.
We settle on the couch, Pete squeezed between us, as the video call connects. Her mom’s face lights up the screen first, followed by her dad’s, both beaming warmly.
“There’s our girl,” Betty exclaims, her eyes softening as they land on Sophia. Then she gasps dramatically. “Oh, my! That’s our Pete! Look at you, sweetheart!”
Pete’s face lights up as he leans closer to the camera, waving so hard he nearly knocks the phone out of Sophia’s hands. “Hi, Nana! Hi, Pops!” he shouts so loud I chuckle.
Betty clasps her hands together as her voice bubbles with excitement. “Well, there’s our handsome young man! Pete, is that your Christmas tree I see behind you? It’s so gorgeous!”
Pete nods eagerly. “Sophia helped me, and so did my dad. We even put the star on top! Do you like it?”
“I don’t just like it, munchkin. I love it!” Betty replies, her smile as bright as the twinkling lights on the tree. “Look at those ornaments—and the garland! Sophia, you’ve outdone yourself.”
Sophia laughs, shaking her head. “Mom, it’s Pete’s tree, not mine. He picked everything.”
“And did a wonderful job,” Betty gushes, her gaze scanning the background. “Oh, look at that mantle, the stockings! It looks like a picture out of a magazine.”
Sophia shrugs playfully. “It’s mostly Ray’s doing, Mom. He’s surprisingly good at this whole Christmas thing.”
Betty chuckles softly. “I’ll bet. It’s so nice to see you settling in, Sophia. This house feels like it’s filled with so much love.”
John leans closer to the camera, his deep voice breaking into the conversation. “Pete, how’s school going, buddy? Are you still the smartest kid in your class?”
Pete sits up a little straighter, his grin proud. “I got a star on my math test last week! And my teacher says I’m really good at reading.”
John claps his hands together with delight. “That’s my guy! What kind of books do you like?”
Pete tilts his head thoughtfully. “About space and dinosaurs. Oh! And superheroes, too!”
