Page 231 of Before Dawn

A thought struck me, curiosity bubbling up. “How many petals?”

His lips quirked. “A thousand.”

I blinked. “A thousand? That’s impossible.”

Mikkel’s grin softened. “When you’re in love, the impossible becomes possible.”

I gasped, my chest tightening. He meant it. It wasn’t just the rose. It was the way he saw me, believed in me, and loved me more than anyone ever could.

“This is surreal.”

He brushed a kiss against my temple. “I’d do it a thousand times over to see you smile like this.”

“You’re my everything, Mikkel.”

“And you’re my infinity, Red.”

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 Fifty-four

Abigail-Ann

“If I know what love is, it is because of you.”

~ Hermann Hesse

The week passed in a blur. If anyone asked me about love, I’d tell them about Mikkel—how he turned my world upside down, how deeply he loved, and how he took the time to understand me. I spent an entire day crying, overwhelmed by the West Wing he built for me, the thousand-petal rose in a glass dome filled with everything he adored about me, and the quotes meant to brighten my day. He mended a heart he hadn’t broken and never made me feel like I owed him anything.

But, beneath all that love, a strange restlessness lingered—a quiet hum under my skin I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe everything was finally catching up to me. I exhaled, trying to shakeit off, as the scent of garlic and rosemary filled the room. From my spot on the sofa, I watched Mikkel move effortlessly in the kitchen, stirring with practiced ease before sending me a soft smile over his shoulder.

“Feeling any better?”

I managed a small smile. “Hmm?”

He turned off the burner, sat beside me, and set down a bowl of salad. “You’re anxious. You slept under the weighted blanket, clung to your knitted flowers, then bit your acrylics off before I left for my meeting.”

I chuckled, embarrassed. “That obvious?”

“I pay attention to everything about you, baby.” He nudged me with a reassuring squeeze. “What’s on your mind?”

I sighed, facing him. “I just feel on edge.”

His gaze softened. “I’m here with you.” He took my hand, squeezing gently. “Tonight’s just us—good food, no pressure.”

“Te amo.184” I gave his hand a squeeze in return. “You should cook more often. This is working wonders.”

He chuckled, eyes gleaming with pride. “Just a little something. But if it helps you relax, I’ll keep cooking.”

Mikkel plated the steak, perfectly seared, alongside roasted vegetables and a drizzle of barbecue sauce. My stomach grumbled in anticipation.Was there anything this man couldn’t do?

Just as I speared a bite, my phone buzzed. Expecting a message from Azzaria, Aurora or my parents, I glanced at the screen.

And my heart sank.

Unknown number.

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