─═✧✧═─ 𝔽𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝟙𝟡𝟙𝟚 ─═✧✧═─

Secrets Unveiled

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains of Henry's room, casting a golden glow over the space. Mia stirred first, her head resting against Henry's chest. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind, making her smile softly as she opened her eyes. Everything had felt so right, as if all the obstacles they had faced had led them to this perfect moment.

Henry's arm tightened around her waist as he woke, his fingers brushing through her hair. He looked down at her with a lazy smile, the warmth of their connection still lingering between them.

"Good morning," Mia whispered, her voice soft and content.

"Morning," Henry murmured back, his voice thick with sleep but laced with affection. He kissed her forehead, holding her a little closer. "Last night was... perfect."

Mia nodded in agreement, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. "It really was." She sighed, content for the moment, but reality started creeping back in. The world outside Henry's room was waiting, and with it came all the complexities they had been avoiding.

Mia sat up slightly, looking down at Henry with a more serious expression. "We should talk about what's next, Henry."

Henry propped himself up on his elbows, his gaze meeting hers with a hint of concern. "What do you mean?"

She bit her lip, gathering her thoughts. "Your parents. Eleanor. They're not going to stop pushing this marriage on you. I know you rejected her, but..." Mia trailed off, the thought of Eleanor's persistence making her uneasy.

Henry sighed, sitting up fully. "I know. My parents aren't going to let this go easily, especially with Eleanor still around. But I won't let them force me into anything. I've made my choice, and it's you, Mia. Always you."

Mia smiled, but there was still a weight on her chest. "I believe you, Henry. But what if things get more complicated? Your family has expectations, and I—" she hesitated, her heart pounding as she thought about the gulf between their two worlds. "I'm not from here. I'm not from your time. We still haven't figured out how I ended up in 1912, or how long I can stay."

Henry's expression softened, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. "Mia, none of that matters to me. We'll figure it out. Even if you're not from this time, you're here now, and that's all that matters. We'll find a way to make this work, no matter what happens."

Mia leaned into his touch, wanting to believe his words. But before she could respond, there was a sudden knock on the door. Both of them froze, the intimate atmosphere of the morning shattered by the sound.

Henry quickly stood and straightened his clothes, glancing at Mia with a mixture of concern and urgency. "Stay here," he whispered, heading to the door.

As he opened it, his father stood on the other side, his expression stern. "Henry, we need to talk," his father said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Henry's heart sank, knowing that this conversation was inevitable. "What is it, Father?"

His father stepped into the room, glancing around briefly but not noticing Mia, who had quietly slipped off the bed and stood behind a large wardrobe, hidden from view. "It's about Eleanor. Her family is becoming impatient. They've been asking about the engagement, and it's time you stopped delaying."

Henry felt his chest tighten. "Father, I've already told you—I'm not marrying Eleanor. I don't care about family arrangements or wealth. I've made my decision."

His father's gaze hardened. "You think you can simply walk away from your responsibilities? This isn't just about you, Henry. It's about securing the future of our family. Your personal feelings are irrelevant in the face of that."

Henry clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. "What about my happiness? What about what I want? You're asking me to marry someone I don't love."

His father's eyes narrowed. "Happiness? Love?" he scoffed. "You think that matters in this world? You have a duty to this family, and that comes first. Eleanor is a suitable match. She's wealthy, well-connected—everything a future wife should be."

Henry opened his mouth to argue, but his father's words were cold and unyielding. "You will speak to her today. And you will stop this nonsense."

Without another word, his father turned and left the room, the door closing with a resounding thud behind him.

Henry stood there for a moment, his chest heaving with frustration. He felt Mia's presence behind him before he saw her, and he turned to see her step out from behind the wardrobe.

Her face was pale, her eyes wide with worry. "Henry..."

He walked over to her, pulling her into his arms. "I'm not marrying her, Mia. I don't care what my father says."

Mia leaned her head against his chest, but the weight of the situation was crushing them both. "What are we going to do?" she asked quietly. "They won't let us be together, will they?"

Henry held her tighter, his mind racing. "I don't know. But we'll find a way. We have to."

But as they stood there, the reality of their situation loomed over them, and both of them knew that the path ahead was far from clear.