Page 82 of To Vanquish Darkness

She quickened her pace, her eyes locked on Florent as he wove through the crowd. The noise of the city faded into the background until it was nothing but a dull hum in her ears. She had to get closer. She had to see his face.

Rachel's pulse quickened as she rounded the corner, her eyes scanning the street ahead. She caught sight of him again, buthis head was turned away from her. For a moment, her heart jumped. She thought he might look back. That his heart might tell him she was there in the street behind him.

He didn't turn. Instead, he slipped into a narrow alley, disappearing from view.

Rachel hesitated, her heart pounding against her ribs.Was he meeting someone?She drew a shaky breath, her mind racing. She couldn't back down now. She had to know. If there was someone else . . .

Her throat constricted. She couldn’t handle that, could she? Ignoring the voice in her head warning her to be cautious, Rachel hurried forward and pressed herself against the wall at the mouth of the alley. She peered around the corner, her breath catching in her throat.

Florent stood with his back to her, his shoulders tense. He was speaking to someone, but Rachel couldn't see who. She strained to hear, her pulse thrumming in her ears.

"—don't understand the risks." Florent's voice was low and angry, the words barely audible.

A man's voice responded, sharp and biting. "I'm not the one who's careless."

Rachel's stomach clenched. She wanted to step forward, to demand answers, but she stayed where she was, her fingers gripping the rough stone of the building.What was he talking about? What risks?

Florent's voice rose, his words echoing off the walls of the alley. “I have a chance, Paul. I’m going to take it.”

Rachel's chest tightened as the man's response was lost in the wind. She bit her lip, her mind racing. What were they planning? And why did Florent seem so desperate? Was he planning to leave without her?

Her legs trembled with the urge to move, to confront him, but she forced herself to stay put. She knew he would be angry. She couldn't risk him pushing her away again.

She gasped as a man stormed around the corner, pulling his hat onto his head. Rachel pressed her back against the brick and held her breath until he was at least ten paces away. After drawing a few breaths, she clenched her fists and strode into the shadowed alley.

That time, Florent turned.

Rachel stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "Florent?"

His eyes narrowed as he took her in. When he recognized her, his jaw tightened, his eyes burning like coals.

"Rachel, what in the hell are you doing here?" His voice was laced with irritation. "Do you think this is a game? Showing up unannounced and sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"

Rachel flinched, her eyes widening. He’d asked her not to bother him in the city. She looked down at her feet, the weight of his words pressing on her shoulders. "I—I'm sorry, I just—" Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over.

Florent's eyes bored into her, his nostrils flaring. He didn't move, and Rachel's pulse quickened. She couldn't bear to see him like this, so distant and angry. It was tearing her apart.

She had to do something.Tell him the truth.

Rachel swallowed hard, the taste of fear and regret bitter on her tongue. "I couldn't stand it any longer." Her voice was barely above a whisper.Was this a good idea? He could laugh in her face and tell her to leave.She held her breath, praying she'd made the right decision. She couldn't stop herself. She stepped forward, her legs shaking as she locked her eyes on Florent's. "Why have you been so distant, Florent?"

She reached out, touching his arm, but he jerked away, his eyes wild. Rachel's heart twisted in her chest, the pain like a knife. "I can't live like this." Her voice cracked, and she felt tears well in her eyes. "It's tearing me apart. Every morning I wake and remember that you were absent the night before. I know nothing of what you’re doing when I’m not there, and the girls and I are leaving in less than a week. I don’t?—"

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep her heart from spilling out like a cracked egg. Florent's jaw tightened. Rachel forced her eyes to his. "I know you’re hurting, and I want to help you, Florent. Whatever it takes. Please, let me help you. Let me helpus.”

Florent's expression twisted, his eyes flicking over her face. He didn't move, but Rachel could see the conflict in his eyes. He was angry, but there was something else there too. A softness, a flicker of the man she'd fallen in love with. She held her breath, praying it wasn't just her imagination.

Florent's eyes softened, and Rachel's heart skipped a beat.There.She hadn't imagined it. She took a step forward, her fingers trembling as she reached for his hand.

Florent's eyes locked onto hers, and Rachel's pulse quickened. He didn't pull away this time. He didn't reach for her, but it was a small victory, and she was clinging to it.

Florent's pupils dilated, and he took a step forward, his chest brushing against hers. "You're sure?" His voice was rough, and a shiver ran down Rachel's spine. She nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

Florent's fingers tightened around her wrists, and Rachel's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't look away, couldn't breathe. She was suspended in that moment, the world fading away.

She pressed her palms against his chest, her heart pounding so hard she was sure he could feel it. Florent's arms wrappedaround her, pulling her close, and Rachel's eyes fluttered shut. She leaned into him, her cheek pressed against his shoulder, the scent of his skin filling her lungs.

This was air. This was life. The way his body felt against hers, the way his breath tickled her ear. Her fingers dug into the fabric of his shirt, and she let out a shuddering breath. She didn't want to ruin the moment, but she had to know. "Why, Florent?" She drew a deep breath, her body trembling. "Why have you been distant? I'm trying to be patient, but this has been—" Her voice cracked, and she pressed her lips together. "I've been tearing myself apart.”

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