Chapter 4 A Walk in the Park

Their meetings grew more frequent, late nights blending into a rhythm of shared purpose and unspoken tension. One evening, after hours of planning, they decided to take a break and walk in the nearby park. The air was crisp, the sky a tapestry of stars above the city's glow.

Sophia shivered as a breeze swept through, and without thinking, Richard slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "Thank you," she said, her smile soft and unguarded.

They walked in silence, the crunch of leaves underfoot a soothing counterpoint to the chaos in Richard's mind. Sophia stopped suddenly, pointing upward. "Look-a shooting star!"

Richard followed her gaze, catching the fleeting streak of light. "Make a wish," he said, his voice low.

She closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips, then opened them to meet his stare. "What did you wish for?" she asked, curiosity lacing her tone.

He hesitated, the truth pressing against his chest. "Happiness," he said finally. "For all of us."

Sophia's expression softened, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "Me too."

Their hands brushed as they stood there, and for a heartbeat, their fingers intertwined. The contact was electric, a spark that threatened to ignite everything he'd been holding back. But Sophia pulled away, her breath catching. "We should go back," she murmured, turning toward the path.

Richard nodded, his heart pounding. They were dancing on a razor's edge, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could resist the fall.