“Or they can become the new foundation,” Elara said.
On paper, it was perfect. Practical. Unbreakable.
Kai was quiet for a long moment. Then he smiled — not the soft, practical smile she knew, but something deeper. “Every day,” he said. “But I didn’t want to ruin the basis. Good foundations are rare. Romantic storylines… those can collapse.”
She took his hand. “Let’s not throw away the map,” she said. “Let’s just… redraw it together.”
One evening, Kai brought her soup when she forgot to eat. “You’re mapping again,” he said, setting the bowl down. “You only map when you’re confused.”