Chapter 15: Fading Shadows

Tessa was rendered speechless, her heart still hammering in her chest. Ash’s story lingered in the space between them, a bittersweet tragedy woven into his existence. She tried to place herself in his shoes—the agony of losing Lucille, the reluctant acceptance of Amara’s intervention. They had saved each other, two souls tangled in fate’s cruel design.

"Did you hate her?" she finally asked, voice cautious. "Once you woke and realized that you hadn't died?"

Ash shifted on the couch, dragging a lazy hand along her leg, sending a trail of goosebumps across her skin. "No," he admitted, exhaling slowly. "I was briefly disappointed… I expected to see Lucille." His fingers stilled, his expression clouded with something unspoken. "But Amara saved me that day, saved me in ways I didn’t know I needed."

Jealousy surfaced like an unwelcome guest, but Tessa quickly swallowed it down. Who was she to judge, when her own love life lay in ruins?

His gaze became distant, lost in the memory of that fateful night. Maybe the disappointment had never truly left him. Lucille would always be his past, his love, his ache. He had spent years anticipating old age and the natural descent toward death, believing it would reunite them. But waking in Amara’s arms had shifted his perspective. He wanted to live. To belong. To be needed again.

As they readied for bed, a gnawing unease settled in Tessa’s chest. After hearing Ash’s story, she couldn’t shake her apprehension about Maximus. His name alone left a sour taste on her tongue—he didn’t seem like the type to welcome their relationship.

"What’s on your mind?" Ash murmured, lying beside her, watching her chew on her lip.

She hesitated, then voiced the thought that had been clawing at her all night. "Do you think Maximus will accept… us?"

Ash didn’t answer right away. His gaze darkened, as if the question pulled him into dangerous territory. Finally, he sighed. "Maximus isn’t known for his kindness. He has… expectations. Boundaries."

Tessa frowned, her intuition prickling with unease. "I don’t trust him."

Ash brushed a stray curl from her face, his touch steady despite the weight pressing on them. "He’s powerful, Tessa. But I won’t let anyone hurt you."

His words were meant to reassure her, yet the cryptic undertones left her wondering if Maximus posed more of a threat than Ash wanted to admit.

Another month passed, and Jax was still silent. Tessa missed him, though she was slowly accepting the possibility that he might never come back. She distracted herself at the bar, engaging customers, pouring drinks, letting routine dull the ache of unanswered questions.

Then, the bell chimed over the door.

She glanced up, blinking in surprise as Wyatt strode toward her.

She smiled automatically, placing a napkin in front of him as he slid into a seat. He ordered his beer, and she resumed working, absently wiping down glasses. She had nearly forgotten about him—assumed he had left Falls Hollow after the convention.

“What brings you into Falls Hollow?” she asked casually as she slid his drink toward him.

Wyatt toyed with the beer bottle, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Would it be too forward if I said… you?”

Her cheeks heated despite herself, but she managed a playful retort.

“Yes, especially since we didn’t even talk.”

They continued their banter until closing time, the easy flow of conversation settling into something light and familiar. When he offered to take her home, she declined. Ash was waiting.

Later, after shutting down the bar and locking up, she stepped into the crisp night air. A rare warmth settled in her chest—she hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed Wyatt’s company. But as she walked home, her thoughts drifted to Ash. Ever since he told her his story, something between them had deepened.

She knew that one day, she would have to tell him hers.

For now, though, they were comfortable.

Under the glow of the moon, Tessa interlocked her hand with Ash’s as they strolled through the hushed streets. The silence between them was familiar, comforting. She hesitated before speaking, her voice measured.

“I’ll be visiting my daughter this weekend.”

Ash stopped, turning to her with a soft smile. “Would you like me to come with you?”

She shook her head, touched by his offer. “No. There’s unfinished business I need to resolve before I tell you my story.”

Ash studied her for a moment, then pulled her close. He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, his voice gentle but unwavering.

“I’ll always be here, Tess. I’m not going anywhere.”

His lips brushed hers—a promise, a silent vow stretching beyond words, beyond time itself.