Roman's fingers moved with gentle precision, brushing against Julie's cheek as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
His touch was feather-light, tender—as if she were something fragile and precious that he never wanted to break.
She lay still beside him, her face calm in sleep, her breaths slow and even.
A small, almost shy smile tugged at Roman's lips as he watched her.
There was something about seeing her like this, at peace and unaware, that made his heart swell with something unexplainable.
As he lay there with her—his world so full of blood and chaos—it felt as though, just by having her beside him, he had gained everything he ever wanted.
Her presence, quiet and warm, wrapped around him like a balm to his soul.
Then, her eyelashes fluttered.
A soft sound escaped her lips as her eyes slowly opened.
They were still heavy with sleep, slightly unfocused—until they met his.
At that moment, everything sharpened.
