Page 69 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron
"So, yes. Hypothetically. If you were as lost as I was, if you made a mistake, even a big one, and there's enough love? Then yes, forgiveness is possible."
Ana stared out at the lake, throat too thick to speak. The paired swans drifted across the water, never straying far from each other.
"Thanks, Papa," she whispered.
He reached over, squeezed her hand once, and didn't let go.
***
Chapter twenty-nine
Chapter 28
The air was cool when Ana stirred, the quiet hum of the lake whispering just beyond the windows. The low, piercingkeowof a seagull occasionally caused a ripple in the tranquillity outside the window. She blinked at the sunlight pouring in with eyes crusted with sleep and confusion.
A steaming cup of coffee placed carefully on the table next to the bed captured her attention. The steam still rose from it as the familiar aroma dragged her closer like a snake charmer with his pipe.
It wasn't just any coffee. It was the special blend Byron always ordered for her from the tiny roastery in Didsbury. Nutty, a little chocolatey, and strong enough to wrestle her soul back into her body.
Her stomach dipped as she sat up slowly, the strap of her nightgown slipping off one shoulder.
Her heart thudded.
He couldn't be here.
Of course not.
But the coffee was fresh. Still hot.
A knock on the door abruptly broke her spiralling thoughts.
"Ana, are you decent?" came her father's voice.
Ana scrambled upright, clutching the fluffy bunny robe she'd packed on a whim.
"Y-Yeah. Just a minute."
She pulled on the robe and matching slippers with trembling hands and opened the door.
Her father stood there, the lake glittering behind him through the hallway window. His expression was neutral, but his eyes gave him away.
"Byron's downstairs."
Ana's brain stuttered to a stop. She wasn't ready.
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"What-he's-how-"
Her father raised a hand and stroked her hair.
"Calm down, Ana. I called him. Or rather he called me and I picked up. Doesn't matter. He flew to Dublin because he thought you were hiding there, Ana. He just got here."
She opened her mouth to object, but he cut her off with quiet steel.
"Whatever this is, no more hiding. I did not raise a coward, did I?"
Her shoulders slumped. Shame bloomed in her chest.
