Jade’s eyes opened to a world she didn’t recognize. The air was warm, the light golden and endless, carrying a serenity she hadn’t felt in years. No pain, no weight of survival—just peace.

She stepped forward, her boots brushing against soft grass, the faint scent of wildflowers in the air. And then, she saw him.

He stood beneath a towering tree, his silhouette glowing in the sunlight. Her heart stopped, disbelief gripping her. It couldn’t be him. Not after all this time.

But when he turned, his boyish smile—the one she’d clung to in memory—was there, as radiant as ever.

“Jade,” he called softly, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. His arms opened slightly, as though afraid she might disappear.

Her legs moved before her mind caught up. She ran to him, her breath catching with every step. Her hands trembled as they brushed his face, searching his eyes, his features, everything she’d lost and mourned.

“It’s really you,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “How?”

He caught her hands in his, warm and familiar. “I’ve been waiting, Jade. Waiting for the moment I could hold you again.”

She fell into his arms, the years of pain melting away as he held her. His embrace felt real, grounding her in this impossible moment.

“I thought I’d lost you forever,” she murmured into his chest.

“You never lost me,” he said softly. “I’ve always been with you. And now, we have forever.”

She pulled back, her tears drying into a smile. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. But I’m here now. And I’m not letting you go again.”