In the American South during the mid-1880s, a sheltered Southern lady named Harper Morris encounters a mysterious yet kind man, Lionel Malloy. Harper discovers that Lionel and his family never age or die because of the spring they drink from, which they have protected for over a century. She faces a choice: drink from the spring to be with Lionel forever or live a normal life to the fullest. ~𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 𝐓𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠~ TW ⚠️: Gun violence, kidnapping, death, mentions of grief

Life hasn't gone the way Alina Mira Morozova once imagined. After losing her parents, she learned to find comfort in quiet routines, pouring herself into nursing school while keeping the people she loves close and the rest of the world at a careful distance. It's not the life she dreamed of, but it's one she's learned to accept. Love is the last thing on her mind, and she's convinced she's better off leaving her heart untouched. Then, on a night she almost doesn't go out, she meets Carlos Lopez. What begins as an unexpected encounter slowly turns into something neither of them planned. Through unhurried conversations, shared laughter, and the smallest acts of kindness, Carlos becomes someone Alina never expected to rely on. As their connection deepens, she begins to understand that healing doesn't mean forgetting the people you've lost. Sometimes, it simply means allowing yourself to make room for the people who choose to stay. But opening her heart again isn't easy. The past has a way of lingering, reminding her that love can be just as fragile as it is beautiful. To move forward, she'll have to decide whether protecting herself is worth risking the chance at the future she's been too afraid to imagine. Because sometimes, the most unexpected night can become the beginning of forever. __________________________________________________________ AUTHOR'S NOTE Hi! Thank you so much for checking out my story. I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. A few little reminders before you begin: • Please know that this story is in 3rd POV or Omniscient POV if you call it hehe... and this is my ORIGINAL story • This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people or events are purely coincidental unless otherwise stated. • Please read with an open mind and be kind in the comments. Respect each other's opinions and avoid spoilers for new readers. • Please don't copy, repost, translate, or plagiarize this story. Happy reading!

The historical fiction story of the rise of the Ashford Family in 14th century England from humble barons to royal favorites