Eight years later

Eight years ago, he vanished.
Aria moved on-or at least convinced herself she did. She buried her heartbreak under a medical degree and carefully built walls, telling herself the past was done.

But the universe clearly had a sense of humor.

After a 4:00 AM hospital shift, all she wants is sleep. Instead, she wakes up in the morning ... next to the one man she never expected to see again-Rowan. Same space. Same pillow. Same ache she thought she'd outgrown.

Now he's back, quietly undoing everything she spent years piecing together. Every glance feels familiar. Every accidental touch feels louder than it should.

Like nothing ever really ended.
Like eight years of silence was just a breath held too long.

Eight years too late...
or maybe just in time to shake a life she thought was finally steady.