The fountain in the alcove kept trickling in the background, its steady sound filling the silence between Eliana and Henry. Neither of them spoke for a while—ten minutes, maybe more. Her head stayed against his shoulder, and his arm stayed firmly around her, like he was afraid to let go. Their shared past hung between them, fragile but unspoken. Eliana's tears had finally stopped, though her eyes were still red and swollen. She looked lighter somehow, as if saying the words had taken some of the weight off her chest. Henry's heartbeat felt strong and steady beneath it all, pounding with the feelings he'd buried for years, feelings that were finally pushing their way to the surface.
Finally, Eliana stirred, lifting her head with a soft sigh. "Henry, I... I really have to go. My father's visit is over, and it's getting late."
