The saltwater breeze tangled through Edward's dark hair as he pulled the heavy net from the sea, muscles straining under the weight. His hands were raw from the coarse rope, stinging each time the cold water splashed over them. The catch was thin — a handful of silver fish that barely shimmered in the fading sunlight — but it would have to do.

By the time he made it back to the shore, she was waiting for him. Sitting on the edge of the dock, her bare feet dangled above the water. Her dress fluttered in the breeze, the fabric thin enough that Edward winced, wondering how long it had been since she'd had something new to wear.

"You’re late," she teased, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Edward dropped the net and crouched in front of her, resting his rough hands on her knees. "Bad tide," he said, brushing a damp curl away from her face. He hesitated before pulling a small cloth from his pocket and placing it in her hands.

She opened it slowly — inside were two coins and a bright orange shell. "For you," he murmured.

Her lips parted, but Edward shook his head. "Don’t say anything. Just… keep it. A piece of the sea."

She closed her fingers around it, her gaze soft. "You didn’t have to."

"I always will," Edward whispered. "Even if it costs me everything."