Page 129 of Steel Beauty

The serious tone in his voice makes my pulse race. I hold my breath, waiting, caught up in his words before they even come.

His gaze locks on to mine, open and unguarded, a vulnerability that sends a pang straight to my heart. “I can’t stop thinking about you leaving. And the truth is… I don’t know how to let you go, Magnolia. I’m not ready. I don’t think I ever will be.”

His raw honesty leaves me breathless. His eyes hold a tenderness that narrows the world to the two of us, and I feel my defenses crumbling, the walls I’ve kept so carefully in place slipping away.

My voice trembles, barely louder than a whisper. “I’m not ready to say goodbye either.” The confession feels more profound than I anticipated. But when I meet his gaze, I see the same ache, the same struggle mirrored back at me.

He takes my hand in his, his steady touch reassuring me. “I love you, Magnolia Elizabeth Steel. I’m completely in love with you. Being with you has changed everything for me.”

His words fill every corner of my heart. Shock ripples through me, quickly giving way to a rush of joy so profound it nearly takes my breath. But at the edges, a quiet fear lingers. No one has ever loved me like this—completely, without hesitation. It’s as if he’s seen every part of me, even the ones I’ve kept hidden, and decided I’m exactly what he wants.

And that terrifies me.

He watches me, his gaze searching, his heart laid bare between us. He’s raw and vulnerable, offering me something rare and precious. My pulse races, and I know there’s no avoiding this moment. The truth has always been there, waiting for me to acknowledge it, to give it life.

I take a shaky breath. “I love you too.”

The words carry every unspoken feeling I’ve kept inside, every hope and every doubt.

For a moment, the silence between us feels almost sacred, heavy with the power of what we’ve shared. His eyes soften, his expression a blend of relief and something deeper—something unshakable.

“Don’t go. Stay with me. I want more with you. Let’s build something real, something lasting. We don’t have to say goodbye.”

His words surround me, warm and full of promise. For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine it—staying here, being part of his world, making this love our reality. The vision feels so vivid, so right, that my heart swells with longing.

But the doubts creep in like shadows, pressing against the edges of my thoughts. My life back home—my friends, my independence, everything I’ve poured myself into—all of it tugs at me, demanding recognition. The thought of giving it up feels like losing a part of myself I’m not ready to let go of.

I draw a shaky breath, my chest tightening as I meet his gaze. The hopeful light in his eyes falters, replaced by a shadow of uncertainty as he senses my hesitation. I love him—deeply, fiercely—but the fear of surrendering everything I’ve fought so hard to protect refuses to release me.

Unable to bear the intensity of his stare, I glance away, knowing the pain my words will cause. My voice trembles, each word a battle to push out. “I’m not ready, Alex. Not for marriage, not for a future I can’t fully see. I love you—truly—but giving up everything I’ve built back home is terrifying.”

The rawness of my confession settles between us, and I see the hurt in his eyes. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away, even as my words begin to sink in.

My hand finds his, trembling as I try to explain. “You deserve someone who’s ready to build that life with you. Someone who can give you everything you want. I don’t want to hold you back.”

He shakes his head, his grip tightening. “You’re not holding me back. You’re everything I want. I don’t need a perfect plan or promises about the future. I just want you.”

I close my eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his words, my emotions spiraling out of control. “I don’t know when—or if—I’ll ever be ready for something like marriage. I can’t promise what I’m not certain I can give.”

He’s quiet for a moment, his expression a mixture of sadness and understanding. Then he gently squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, Magnolia. We don’t have to figure everything out tonight.”

There’s a warmth in his words that soothes the sharp edges of my fear, and for a fleeting moment, I almost let myself believe we could find a way. But reality presses down, heavy and unrelenting. Guilt twists in my chest, sharp and undeniable, as I summon the courage to say what I know I must.

“Alex.” My voice trembles. “I love you more than I can put into words. But I might never be able to give you the life you want and deserve. I can’t lead you on, hoping I’ll change and suddenly be ready for everything you want. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

Tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, forcing myself to press on. “It’s going to break my heart to leave you, but it’s what I have to do. You deserve someone who’s ready to build a life with you without hesitation. I love you too much to hold you back from that.”

His jaw tightens, his brow furrowing as my words settle over him. He releases a heavy sigh, his gaze falling to the floor. The pain in his eyes is unmistakable, but there’s also a quiet, reluctant acceptance in the way his shoulders drop.

For a long moment, we sit in silence, the unspoken truth hanging heavy between us: we love each other, but love alone isn’t always enough.

I sit in the quiet aftermath, aching but resolute. My heart feels impossibly heavy, knowing this week will be our last. Through quiet tears, I reach for his hand, my voice unsteady. “I don’t want this to ruin the rest of our time together.”

Alex’s gaze lifts, the sadness in his eyes tempered by something softer. His fingers curl firmly around mine, his voice steady with quiet resolve. “Then we won’t let it. We still have a week together. Let’s make every moment count.”

Alex’s hand rests on the small of my back, his touch firm yet achingly gentle as he draws me closer. Our bodies align naturally, the warmth of him steadying me in the moment. When our lips meet, the kiss is tender and slow, filled with the quiet intensity of everything we feel but can’t put into words.

We move with deliberate care, like a delicate dance meant only for us. Each caress feels like a silent vow, each kiss an expression of longing that speaks louder than any declaration. My fingertips trace the sharp lines of his jaw, savoring every familiar contour, while his hands explore me with a reverence that steals my breath.

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