Page 172 of Before Dawn

“I just don’t want tolet you down.”

I shook my head, caressing her cheek. “You couldneverdisappoint me. I see how hard this is, but you’re perfect as you are. You bring more happiness into my life than I ever imagined.”

She blinked back tears, her vulnerability clear.

I pulled her close, feeling her tremble. “There’s nothing to mess up, baby. Even if things don’t go perfectly, it won’t change us. I’m here, and I’m not leaving. We’ll face it together, like we always do.”

She clung to me, her grip tight as if she was afraid to let go. “Thank you for always getting me out of my head. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Because I’m right here with you.”

She nodded against my chest, her breathing gradually slowing. “Okay.”

“No ‘what ifs,’” I stated firmly, wiping away her tears with my thumb. “Tú y yo, contra el mundo.101”

Her lips trembled as she searched my eyes, seeking reassurance. “Against everything.”

I pressed my lips to hers in a tender kiss, pouring all the love and devotion I felt for her into that single moment.

“You’re my love, Red,” I whispered against her lips. “And I’ll always be here with you no matter what.”

Warning

The following chapter contains heavy mentions of mental health/physical health issues. Please refer to the content warning list to be reminded of any potential triggers. Your well-being is important to me, so please take care of yourself while reading.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Abigail-Ann

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

~ Lao Tzu

The only thing I hated more than having anxiety was how crippling and debilitating it was.

A tear slipped down my cheek, soaking into the pillow beneath me. I didn’t bother wiping it away.

It was just me and the silence. Me and the thoughts that wouldn’t stop clawing at me.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

The storm in my head was too loud, my chest too tight, and I felt like I was drowning. My pulse hammered in my ears, so fast it felt impossible to catch up.

I turned toward Mikkel, my voice barely a whisper. “Mikkel.”

He didn’t stir. Iswallowed hard, my heart racing, and shook his arm lightly. “Mikkel,” I tried again, a little louder this time, my voice breaking.

His brow furrowed as he shifted, still half in a deep sleep.

“I can’t breathe,” I said, my words spilling out. “I can’t—Mikkel, I can’t stop thinking—”

His eyes snapped open, and he jolted upright like I’d pulled him from the depths of a dream. “Red?” he said, his voice low and rough with sleep as he reached for his glasses on the nightstand. He shoved them on quickly, blinking at me in the dim light. “What’s wrong, baby?”

Tears burned my eyes as I struggled to get the words out. “I can’t,” I choked, my voice shaking. “I can’t… I can’t breathe.”

“I’m here with you.” His voice softened into something calm and steady. He moved closer to me, careful but determined. “Let’s do this together, okay? Can you trust me for a minute?”

I nodded weakly, my breath still shallow, my hands gripping the blanket tightly.

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