Page 93 of Before Dawn

Her gaze softened. “I’m really proud of the balance you’re finding. And when those tough moments come, how are you coping with them?”

I shrugged lightly. “It’s not overwhelming, nothing that stops me from going about my day. Some days are easier, but I’m adjusting.”

Dr. Green leaned in just slightly. “Change can be overwhelming, but you’ve been handling it well. Give yourself permission to adjust at your own pace.”

“You’re right,” I admitted, inhaling deeply. “I need to be more patient with myself.”

“Exactly,” she said. “You’re juggling a lot—a new city, new job, new home, a new relationship. It’s okay to take things one step at a time. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions right now.”

I exhaled slowly, the weight on my chest feeling a little lighter. “Thanks, Dr. Green. This really helps.”

She smiled. “That’s what I’m here for. You’re doing great, Abigail. Just keep taking it day by day.”

Chapter Twenty-one

Mikkel

“True love begins when nothing is looked for in return.”

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

She asked me what my favorite color was, and I froze. No one had ever asked me that before. It wasn’t something I’d thought about, so I said white—simple, easy, the first thing that came to mind.

I had always worn white, surrounded myself with it. White felt safe. White felt like control.

But later, I realized my favorite color was yellow—not just because it was one of hers, but because it reminded me of her.

When I looked at her, I saw yellow—soft, warm, and impossibly beautiful. The kind of yellow that felt like the first touch of sunlight after the longest night. The kind that melted away the cold andwhispered promises of something better. Yellow wasn’t just a color. It was how she made everything brighter.

How she made me feel alive.

Before her, my life had been routine. Predictable. Monotonous. Then, everything changed. I didn’t just see her—I felt her. Like sunlight breaking through a sky I hadn’t even realized was gray. And she wasn’t just a fleeting brightness. She was a constant light.

The next morning, soft sunlight streamed through my curtains, pulling me from sleep. I rubbed my eyes, reached for my phone, and dialed Abigail’s number. My heart fluttered with every ring until her face appeared on the screen, her radiant smile and messy hair making the morning feel even warmer.

“Hey,” she greeted, her voice soft, wrapping around me like warmth itself.

“Hey,” I echoed, smiling back.God, she was beautiful.“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, not at all,” she assured me, her eyes sparkling. “I was just organizing some things.”

“What are you doing today?”

Her lips parted slightly, hesitating before she spoke. “Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to come over and spend the day with me.” She exhaled softly, almost nervous. “I could use a break from organizing, and… it’d be nice to see you.”

I didn’t hesitate. “I’d love that.”

Her brows knit together slightly. “Only if you’re not… busy. I don’t want to interrupt your day or anything.”

I shook my head, smiling. “I’m never too busy for you.”

A soft blush crept across her cheeks, her smile turning shy. “Okay, then. I’ll see you soon?”

“Soon,” I promised, already itching to be with her.

“Tell me you’ve got good news,” Arnoldo said the moment I stepped into the glass-walled conference room at Reyes & Associates, the sprawling headquarters of the country’s top law firm. He leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his face.

I dropped my bag on the table. “You know I don’t show up empty-handed.”

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