As Ellie listened to Silas's reluctant agreement to her proposal, a wave of relief washed over her, thinking that she had successfully soothed the man's emotions. She lowered her gaze. It seemed that his feelings for her had not entirely faded. The thought brought comfort, yet it also ignited a flicker of distress in her heart.
If Silas's possessiveness were not so strong, which often felt like an oppressive stone weighing her down, she would not be unwilling to be with him. If only he could ease his grip and allow her room for freedom, perhaps she could embrace the idea of being with him more willingly.
…
In a remote corner of the woods, two people made their home in a dilapidated cabin, its weathered walls and creaking floors a testament to the struggles that had taken place before. The way they interacted with one another was no longer as difficult and stiff as it was at the beginning.
