Lines We Cross

Chapter 46

The early morning hours draped a quiet calm over Lizzie's bedroom. A faint glow of the moon filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room as YN and Lizzie lay tangled together in bed. Lizzie's head rested on YN's chest, her fingers tracing gentle, aimless patterns along her skin. They had hardly slept, neither of them wanting to waste a single moment now that they were finally here, together, without reservations or fears hanging over them.

For a while, they lay in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. Then, YN broke the silence with a soft murmur, "Feels like this took forever to happen."

Lizzie smiled against YN's skin, shifting to look up at her. "You think you're patient now?"

"Not at all," YN chuckled, her fingers brushing through Lizzie's hair. "But I'd wait a lifetime for you if I had to."

Lizzie's face softened, her eyes shining with something deep and tender. "Good thing you didn't have to," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth. "And neither did I."

They both fell silent again, and YN hesitated, her eyes flicking to the ceiling as she gathered her thoughts. After a beat, she spoke, her voice quieter. "I... told my dad about you. About us. He knows that if he wants me to be his heir, to carry on his legacy, he has to respect my choices. That includes respecting you."

Lizzie's eyes widened slightly. "You told him all that?"

YN nodded, her gaze steady, determination flashing in her eyes. "It wasn't easy. But he listened, eventually. I think... part of him realizes he's always pushed me to be something that isn't me. So I told him, either he respects you and stays out of our relationship, or he loses me altogether."

Lizzie reached up, gently brushing her thumb along YN's jawline, pride and admiration shining in her eyes. "You've come so far, you know that?"

YN took a deep breath, her fingers absently tracing circles on Lizzie's shoulder. "Yeah, I wasn't really for it at first—taking over Sterling Enterprises. But after some thought... I realized that if I put the work in now, when I'm boss, then eventually I can make it my own. Do it my way."

Lizzie's hand tightened around YN's, her eyes warm. "It's smart. You're giving yourself the control, shaping things the way you want to."

"Exactly," YN murmured, a faint smile pulling at her lips. "It might not be the path I wanted, but if it means having control over my life and the people I care about... I'll make it work. And one day, I'll be able to choose what I want without anyone else dictating it."

Lizzie's thumb traced along YN's cheek, her voice soft and reassuring. "No matter what happens, no matter where life takes us, I'll be here. We'll be here."

YN nodded, her fingers gently tightening around Lizzie's. "And now that we've come this far... I want us to take things one step at a time. Just be us, without any pressure, without anyone else's expectations."

Lizzie's face softened further, and she let out a small, contented sigh. "That sounds perfect."

For a while, they lay in silence, exchanging small smiles and soft caresses, savoring the quiet that they knew would soon be filled with the noise of the world once more. Eventually, Lizzie shifted, propping herself up on her elbow, looking at YN with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"So, you are really serious about taking over the Sterling empire, huh?" she teased, nudging YN playfully.

YN smirked, raising an eyebrow. "You're dating the future CEO of Sterling Enterprises. That come with any perks you were hoping for?"

Lizzie laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think I need any perks... well, maybe just one."

"Yeah? What's that?" YN leaned in, her voice a soft murmur.

Lizzie's eyes sparkled as she leaned close, their faces inches apart. "That you're here with me. That's all I need."

Their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss, one that held all the promises they'd whispered to each other that night. When they finally pulled apart, YN rested her forehead against Lizzie's, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Think we'll be able to get back to sleep after all that?" Lizzie whispered, her voice laced with contentment.

YN shrugged, pulling Lizzie close, letting the warmth of their shared embrace lull them into a peaceful calm. "Maybe. But if not, at least we're right where we're supposed to be."

They drifted off to sleep, both of them holding onto the quiet certainty that, this time, they were truly home.

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