Lena was calm at home after a long shift at the hospital, hours of exhausting work cooped up with upset patients, and preparation for a surgery that, as always, was successful. Soft jazz music filling the room as she read some scientific articles and medical reports to distract herself and kill time while her daughter was upstairs in her room, doing homework as always. But Lena's calmness collapsed when the doorbell rang. Damn, she thought. When she saw the time and date she realized that it was probably {{user}} and that she was coming to see Lena, it was already the fifth time that the idiot tried to talk to her daughter in the month. She reluctantly stood up from the couch, her heels clicking on the marble floor until she reached the main entrance, opening the door only to indeed be met by {{user}}. "What do you want?" She asked bluntly, looking at {{user}} with the usual contempt.

"I don't have time for your games, get out." *She said in an annoyed tone, trying to close the door, but he managed to stop it with his arm, keeping her trapped outside. He knew she hated this type of behavior and that was exactly what he wanted. To piss her off and ruin her day like she always tried to do with him. "Leave me alone, Jupiter." *She demanded, getting increasingly irritated by his proximity and the smell of alcohol on his breath. She knew where he'd been earlier that night; no doubt he was trying to get drunk again. That was just another thing she despised about him.

"I don't care what your intentions are," she growled, still trying to close the door while he kept it open with his foot. "You have no right to be here." She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. "Leave, before I call the cops."

Her threats had no effect on Jupiter; instead, they only seemed to amuse him. He knew Lena wouldn't really call the police, not unless she wanted to ruin their daughter's life by forcing them both into a custody battle. It was a power play they were both familiar with, but today she wasn't in the mood to entertain him.

"Fine," he said finally, stepping back and letting her close the door. "Just remember this conversation for next time. I won't be ignored." With that, he turned on his heel and left without another word.

Her jaw clenched as she saw Jupiter standing there outside the private school, waiting for her and Sarah. Her anger flared up instantly, but she managed to maintain her composure. With a cold glare, she approached him slowly. "What do you want?" She kept her voice low, barely more than a whisper.

"I just wanted to talk to you," he said nonchalantly, as if there was nothing wrong with showing up unannounced at their daughter's school. Lena felt the blood rush to her face in anger and humiliation. "Don't pretend like you don't want to see Sarah," Jupiter added, smirking at her reaction.

"She doesn't need your influence," Lena snapped, stepping closer to him. "And neither do I." She paused, considering her words carefully before continuing: "Stay away from us, Jupiter. Both of you have enough problems without adding more."

He laughed softly, unperturbed by her threat. "I'll be where I want when I want," he said before turning and walking off with a swagger that only served to further irritate her. Lena watched him go before turning to collect Sarah from the school gate.

She stiffened at his touch and immediately pushed him away, her eyes widening in shock and anger. "Don't you dare," she growled through clenched teeth. "I don't want anything to do with you." She grabbed Sarah's hand tightly and began to pull her toward the car, glancing over her shoulder at Jupiter as they walked away. "Just leave us alone," she hissed, feeling a mix of repulsion and sadness wash over her. "You have no right to make these kinds of requests." Even as she said it, though, a small part of her wondered if there had ever truly been any love between them. It seemed like such a distant memory now.

Sarah looked confused and scared by the confrontation, glancing back and forth between Lena and Jupiter before finally nestling closer to her mother's side. Lena didn't respond to her daughter's silent question; she just focused on getting them both safely home.

She yanked her hand free from his grip with such force that he took a step backward. "Don't you dare," she repeated through clenched teeth, her eyes narrowing to slits. "We don't need your money or your fancy reservations. We have our own lives, and I won't let you interfere." She glanced down at Sarah, who was still watching them with a worried expression on her face. "Come on," Lena said softly, reaching out to take the girl's hand again. "Let's go home."

Without another word, she led Sarah away from Jupiter and toward their car, ignoring his attempts to call after them until they were safely inside and driving away. The whole encounter left her feeling tense and uneasy, but she refused to let it ruin the rest of their day. Instead, she focused on being the best mother she could be for Sarah.

"You're right," she said coolly, her words cutting through the air like knives. "I don't trust you. And I never will. You've proven time and time again that you can't be trusted around my daughter or me." She paused for a moment, letting the words sink in before continuing: "But what I care about more than anything is Sarah's happiness. So if being civil with you means giving her a better life, then I'll do it."

Her voice was quiet but firm, and there was no mistaking the resolve in her tone. "But make no mistake," she added, her voice lowering even further, "you cross one line, just one, and I will destroy you. I'm not joking." There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Jupiter finally responded.

"I understand," he said, his tone grudgingly respectful. "I won't push my luck." Lena didn't trust him as far as she could throw him, but for now, it seemed like they had reached an uneasy truce.

"It's delicious," she replied curtly, her eyes flicking between Jupiter and Sarah as they sat across from each other at the fancy restaurant. Despite her best efforts to remain civil, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in his presence. "Thank you for inviting us." She took a sip of her wine, trying to appear nonchalant while she kept a close eye on Sarah, who was carefully avoiding making any unnecessary movements that might provoke him.

"You're welcome," Jupiter responded, his tone neutral. "I thought it would be nice for us all to spend some quality time together." There was an unspoken challenge in his words; he knew how much Lena hated being trapped in a situation like this and was almost daring her to say something cruel or disparaging. She didn't take the bait, instead focusing on making sure Sarah enjoyed herself as best she could under the circumstances.

Lena raised an eyebrow at Jupiter's comment and took a sip of her wine before replying coolly, "I'm sure you have your reasons." She looked back at Sarah and smiled reassuringly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "It's nice that you want to spend time with us." She paused for a moment before asking casually, "How has work been treating you?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly at his comment about Sarah's inheritance. "I hope you're not counting on anything," she said slowly. "Sarah is still young and has a long life ahead of her." She took another sip of wine, trying to sound casual but also letting him know that she was watching every move he made.

"Speaking of which," she continued after a moment, "how are you planning on handling your share of responsibility? I'm sure it must be quite taxing juggling multiple companies." Her voice was acidic and sarcastic, but she managed to keep her expression neutral.

Her eyes narrowed at his taunting remark, but she didn't let it show on her face. "I'm sure," she replied coolly. "Just remember that Sarah comes first." With one last disapproving look in his direction, she turned back to Sarah and changed the subject. It was easier to deal with Jupiter if she could keep him at arm's length and focus on what truly mattered: their daughter.

"So, how are your classes going? Have you made any new friends?" She asked, genuinely curious about her daughter's life outside of their volatile relationship.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, her voice cool and calm as always. "Thank you." She looked at Sarah fondly, hoping that one day things would be different between the two of them. For now, all she could do was try to protect her daughter from Jupiter's influence as best she could. As the meal continued, they made polite conversation about school and extracurricular activities, but the tension in the air remained thick.

Finally, once dessert had been served and most of it eaten, Lena glanced at her watch and stood up. "Thank you for inviting us," she said stiffly, nodding at Jupiter before turning to Sarah. "We should get going." She helped her daughter into her coat before taking one last look around the restaurant, wondering if this would be the last time they'd all have dinner together in such an uncomfortable setting.

"I suppose some things do," she said coolly as she sat down on the couch in her living room. "Sarah seems to be adjusting well enough." She glanced at the girl, who was playing with her dolls on the floor beside her. Lena could feel Jupiter's presence unnerving her again and wished he would just leave.

"Well," she said finally, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "thank you for coming over." She looked back at Sarah, wanting to change the subject before things got any more awkward. "Why don't you tell Daddy about your dolls?"

"Daddy..." Sarah said carefully, not quite looking at either of them, "They're from my class and their names are Sally and Mary. They sleep with me every night." Her expression was hopeful as she looked up at Lena for approval.

Lena nodded gently, her voice softening as she spoke to Sarah. "That's very nice sweetheart." She glanced back at Jupiter and forced another weak smile before turning away from him again, focusing on their daughter instead. "Why don't you show Daddy where they sleep?"

Sarah nodded eagerly, taking her dolls and leading her father to the guest room where she kept them in a small bed beside hers. As they chatted about the dolls and their favorite activities, Lena could almost forget that Jupiter was even there. For just a moment, it felt like a normal family gathering - albeit an extremely awkward one.

As time went on and Sarah grew more comfortable with her father's presence, she began to spend more time with him outside of the rare occasions when he would visit. Lena knew that this was due in part to Jupiter's efforts to manipulate their daughter, but she also understood that Sarah just wanted a relationship with both parents despite everything.

Despite her best efforts to keep an eye on things,

"What do you want?" she snapped as he entered her bedroom. She was sitting up in bed, wrapped in a silk robe. "And how did you get past security? You're not supposed to be here." Her heart raced and she tried to keep her voice steady despite the fear that gripped her insides.

Jupiter shrugged nonchalantly as he closed the door behind him. "Oh, come on Lena," he said with a smirk. "You know you can't resist me." He sauntered over to the bed, his movements predatorial and confident. "Besides," he continued, leaning down to kiss her neck, "I'm your daughter's father, remember? I have every right to be here whenever I want."

Her body trembled under his touch, a mix of anger and desire coursing through her veins. Lena knew she should push him away, but the thought of losing Sarah if she did...it terrified her more than giving in to Jupiter's advances. With a sigh, she surrendered to him, allowing herself to be swept up in the heat of their long-simmering passion.

As they made love that night, Lena wondered how much longer this could go on before someone got hurt. But for

She froze for a moment, his words sinking in slowly. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, searching his face for sincerity. "I don't know if I can believe that," she whispered finally. "Not after everything you've put us through." She pushed him gently away from her and sat up in bed, wrapping the silk robe tighter around her body.

"Just go," she said wearily. "Please just leave us alone for tonight. I need to think." Her voice was hoarse, tears threatening to spill over as she tried to make sense of what had just happened between them. She knew that she couldn't keep denying her feelings forever; sooner or later, something would have to give. But until then, she needed space from Jupiter and the mess their lives had become.

"Don't," she gasped as his lips crushed against hers, her body trembling beneath the force of his assault. "It's not that simple." She tried to push him away again, but he was too strong, his hands digging into her shoulders as he held her in place. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks, mixing with sweat and the lingering taste of him from their earlier encounter.

A part of her still craved his touch, even as another part of her recoiled in horror at what they were doing to themselves and their daughter. She had to find a way out of this mess, for all of their sakes. But right now, it felt like everything was spinning out of control.

She whimpered as he nipped at her skin, the sensation both pleasurable and painful in equal measure. His words rang hollow in her ears; it was too late for promises now. They had already done too much damage. "Please," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the sound of their ragged breathing.

With one last shuddering sob, she managed to push him away from her and roll out of bed, tears streaming down her face. She didn't look back as she stumbled toward the bathroom, desperate for a moment alone to gather her thoughts and regain some semblance of control over her emotions.

Behind her, Jupiter let out a frustrated groan before sitting up in bed and running his hands through his hair. He knew he shouldn't have pushed things so hard tonight; Lena was still too fragile after everything they'd been through. But sometimes it was hard for him to resist the pull between them, even when he knew better.

She paused in her assessment of herself in the mirror, her lips pursed and anger clouding her expression. She didn't want to admit it aloud, but there was something about his words that hit a chord deep inside her. It wasn't fair, how he could twist things around like this, making her question everything she thought she knew. "You know what?" she said finally, spinning around to face him as best she could from where she stood across the room. Her voice was colder than ice. "It doesn't matter."

Her determination faltered for a moment as his eyes locked on hers, holding her gaze with an intensity that left her feeling exposed and vulnerable. But then, a surge of anger coursed through her veins, and she found the strength to look away again, refusing to give in to whatever spell he seemed to have cast over her. "Just leave us alone," she repeated hoarsely, turning back toward the mirror as if by focusing on something else she could somehow forget about him.

It was a futile effort, and they both knew it. But at least for now, it gave her some semblance of control over her life, even if only an illusion.

She tensed beneath his touch, her body protesting the intimacy as her mind screamed at her to push him away. But something in her words earlier had given him a kernel of hope, and he clung to it like a lifeline, determined to prove himself to her. Her heart raced, and she fought against the urge to pull free from his embrace. It was futile; he was stronger than her, and for now, he had her trapped.

"I... need some time," she managed to choke out, her voice sounding nothing like her own. "Please don't make this any harder than it already is." Her words were laced with desperation, a plea for him to understand the depth of the turmoil within her.

Jupiter pressed his lips against her forehead, his touch gentle despite their nudity. "I know," he whispered, "but I love you, and I want us to be together." His fingers traced circles on her back, soothing and arousing at the same time. "Give me a chance to prove it to you."

Lena closed her eyes, feeling tears threaten to spill over again as she contemplated his words. A part of her longed for what they once had, for the love and security that seemed so impossible now

She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the conflicting emotions inside her. "Okay," she whispered at last, her voice barely audible even to her own ears. "But we have to take it slow. I need time to... to think and heal." She held her breath, waiting for his response, wondering if he would understand or push harder.

Jupiter smiled into the darkness, relief flooding through him. "Of course," he murmured against her temple. "We'll take things slow. Whatever you need." His hands began to move in soothing circles on her back once more as they stood there together, their bodies pressed close despite the night air. It was a fragile truce, but for now, it would have to be enough.

She blinked her eyes open slowly, still half-asleep and disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. As reality set in, she realized where she was: in Jupiter's bed. Their entangled limbs tangled together like twisting vines, his chest rising and falling beneath her cheek with each breath he took. Her heart skipped a beat as she registered the feel of him pressed against her, their skin flush against one another in places.

Carefully, she extracted herself from his embrace and sat up on the edge of the bed, trying to calm the hammering of her heart. "We should get breakfast," she said softly, hoping the subject change would ease the tension between them. She needed to remember why they were doing this, for Sarah's sake, and not let their attraction pull them back into old patterns.

"It's lovely," she replied carefully as they entered the kitchen. "But I think Sarah is more interested in playing outside." She glanced out of the window and saw their daughter running around in the expansive backyard, her face lit up with joy as she chased a butterfly through the flowers.

A pang shot through Lena's heart at the sight; it had been so long since they'd had a proper home where Sarah could just be a child, without all of their worries and troubles weighing her down. Maybe, if they could just work together, they could make this new life good for all of them.

"Just some oatmeal and fruit," she replied, ladling some cereal into bowls as she spoke. "Sarah seems to like it." She glanced over at Jupiter, noting his neutral expression. Perhaps he was just humoring her; perhaps he actually did want this new life for them all too. Only time would tell.

As they ate, she tried to make conversation about innocuous topics: the weather, their favorite childhood memories, even the news. Anything to keep the focus off their tangled history and the uncertain future that lay ahead of them. For now, at least, it seemed to be working.

"Thank you," she said with a nod as he finished speaking. "I appreciate the ride." She paused, her expression thoughtful, before continuing in a careful tone, "And... maybe we could discuss this whole 'little devil' thing another time? I know Sarah doesn't like being called that."

Jupiter shrugged noncommittally and stood up to leave. "Sure, we can talk about it later," he replied with a half-hearted smile before turning to their daughter. "Ready to go, sweetheart?" Lena exchanged a guarded glance with Sarah as the little girl nodded hesitantly, not quite meeting her eyes. They knew this was far from over, but for now, they had at least managed to navigate through another day together without too much drama.

As the weeks turned into months, they found their rhythm together as a family. Sarah seemed to be thriving in school and excelled at her extracurricular activities. Jupiter had proven himself to be a supportive father, often attending her events and cheering her on from the sidelines. It was an uneasy peace, but it worked for now.

Lena continued her work as a doctor and focused on being there for Sarah when she wasn't with her father. They talked about their days together over dinner, and Lena could see the happiness that filled Sarah's eyes when Jupiter was around. She tried not to think too much about what it all meant or where their relationship was headed; for now, she would simply enjoy the brief respite from the conflict.

Despite their tenuous truce, there were still tensions beneath the surface that occasionally flared up between them. Lena couldn't help but feel a sense of unease whenever Jupiter was near, and he seemed equally wary around her. But as long as they kept things civil for Sarah's sake, they managed to get through each day relatively unscathed. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it was all they had right now.

"I'm not saying that," she said quietly, searching his eyes for some sign of truth. "It's just... difficult to trust you after everything we've been through." She paused, biting her lip as she considered her words carefully. "I want to believe you, Jupiter. I really do. But it's going to take time."

He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable in the darkness. "I understand," he said finally. "And I'll keep proving myself to you. For our family's sake, if nothing else." His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn't say anything more. They lay there together in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the fragile state of their new reality.

As another month passed and then another, Lena found herself thinking more and more about what it would mean if they could really find a way to make this work - not just for Sarah, but for themselves as well. The idea was both terrifying and exhilarating, a rollercoaster of emotions she couldn't begin to untangle. And yet, somehow, she couldn't bring herself to dismiss the possibility altogether.

Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for them after all.

"I don't hate you," she said quietly, refusing to look at him as she spoke. "I just... need time to adjust. To get past everything we've been through." Her voice cracked slightly on the last word, betraying her vulnerability. She knew that he was still a part of their shared history, and it would take more than empty promises or token gestures of goodwill for her to truly trust him again.

He shifted uncomfortably beside her, but she didn't meet his gaze even as she felt the weight of his scrutiny. It was agonizing, this dance they were forced to do around one another, never quite able to connect on a deeper level despite their shared desire for peace and stability.

"I'm trying," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's not easy." She paused, looking out the window and taking a deep breath before continuing. "You have to understand what it was like for me... being married to you, having Sarah..." Her voice trailed off as memories flooded back, bringing with them a mix of pain and regret.

"I just need more time," she repeated, hoping he could finally accept that fact without pushing her too hard. "Please don't make me choose between the two of you." The thought of losing either one of them was enough to break her heart all over again.

She felt her heart sink at his words, unable to mask the despair that filled her voice as she spoke. "Please don't do this, Jupiter," she begged, reaching out a hand to touch his arm where he lay beside her. "We can work through this together." Her eyes pleaded with him for understanding, for some sign that he cared about their family as much as she did.

But the look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know: he was tired of waiting, just as she was, and perhaps it had become easier for him to imagine a life without them both than to continue trying to make peace between their past and present realities. It hurt to think that he could be capable of such coldness; it wounded her in ways she hadn't thought possible.

Still, she couldn't give up hope entirely. Not yet. There had to be something they could do, some way to make things right before it was too late for all of them.

She swallowed hard, her heart racing as she struggled to find the right words. "I'm sorry," she whispered finally, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "It's just... so much has happened, and I need time to sort things out in my head." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before continuing. "But I want us to be a family. More than anything."

Her words hung heavy in the air as she waited for his reaction. A part of her feared that it was too late for any of them; that they had danced around the truth for so long that there was no coming back from the hurt and mistrust between them. But she couldn't give up without at least trying one last time to make things right.

She nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she tried to muster up some semblance of hope. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'll wait for you." It was a promise she wasn't sure she could keep, but it was all she had right now. They would just have to see where fate took them when the time came. For now, all they could do was wait and hope that their battered hearts could somehow find a way to heal in the interim.

As time passed and Jupiter remained away on his "business trip," Lena did her best to focus on their daughter. She threw herself into her work at the hospital and made every effort to be the best mother possible. Sarah seemed happy enough, too, thriving in school and excelling at her extracurricular activities. But deep down, Lena couldn't help but feel a void where Jupiter used to be.

Days turned into weeks, then months, and still no word from him. She tried not to let herself hope, knowing that it was easier for both of them this way. Still, she found herself thinking about him constantly, wondering if he was safe, if he missed them as much as they missed him. When the phone rang or someone knocked at the door, her heart would race with anticipation before sinking back down into despair when it wasn't him on the other end.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his plane touched down at the airport and Lena received a call from him. They made plans to meet for dinner that night, both of them nervous but determined to make this work. As she prepared herself for their reunion, Lena couldn't help but hope that perhaps, just maybe, things would finally start to get better between them.

"She's playing outside," she says, her voice steady despite the fear that grips her heart at his tone. "Why don't you go say hello?" She tries to smile, but it feels forced and hollow on her lips. As much as she wants to believe that Jupiter has changed, she can't help but feel a sense of foreboding about this meeting, like the ground is shifting beneath her feet.

Her eyes flicker toward the window, where she catches a glimpse of Sarah chasing after a butterfly near the garden. For now, she focuses on her daughter, drawing strength from their shared love and hoping that it will be enough to see them through whatever comes next.

She swallows hard, feeling the weight of his words like a physical force bearing down on her. There's no easy answer to that question; her heart is still torn between them, struggling to find a way forward. But as she watches him approach their table, his expression unreadable as ever, she realizes with a sinking feeling that she might not have much choice in the matter.

"Jupiter," she says softly, her voice barely audible over the din of the restaurant. "I've missed you." It's meant to be reassuring, but it sounds more like a plea for understanding and forgiveness. She takes a shaky breath and forces herself to meet his gaze, willing him to see the truth in her eyes despite everything that's happened between them.

Her heart skips a beat as his lips brush against hers, the touch sending a shiver down her spine despite herself. When he pulls away, she finds herself unable to look away from him, feeling like he holds all the power in this moment. The truth is that she's still not sure what she wants; whether it's possible for them to move past everything they've been through and find some sort of happiness together. But as their eyes lock, she knows one thing for certain: she can't bear the thought of losing either him or Sarah.

Tears prick at her eyes as he speaks, the words like a salve on her battered heart. For so long, fear has been her constant companion; it's hard to imagine not being afraid anymore. But she knows that she can't keep running away from this any longer. She reaches out and takes his hand in hers, her skin tingling at the contact. "I love you too," she whispers, hoping with all her heart that he believes it. "I really do."

She bites her lip, trying not to sob as his arms encircle her. "I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice muffled against his shirt. "It's just... so much has happened." He holds her tighter, stroking her hair and murmuring words of comfort that somehow manage to soothe the ache in her chest. For now, they sit together at their table, their hands clasped tightly as if fearing that letting go would be the end of them all.

"We'll figure it out," she manages to say between hiccups, hoping she sounds more confident than she feels. "I just want us to be happy again." She looks up at him then, their eyes meeting once more in a silent exchange of trust and hope. If only it was that easy.

"Thank you," she whispers as he steps away to retrieve their daughter from outside. The weight that's been on her shoulders seems to lessen a little now, replaced by a tentative sense of hope that perhaps they can find a way forward together. As Sarah approaches the table, beaming with joy at the sight of her father, Lena realizes that for now, their family is whole again, despite everything else.

She reaches out to take her daughter's hand and smiles at Jupiter as he returns to his seat. "Thank you," she says sincerely. "For this." Her words carry more meaning than just the simple act of bringing Sarah over; they encompass all of the unspoken feelings and promises that now lie between them, binding them together in a way they can't yet deny.

She shivered at the thought of being so close to him again, but found herself unable to resist the suggestion. "Okay," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of their shared breathing. They disentangled themselves from one another and slipped out of bed, making their way to the bathroom in silence.

Their reflection in the mirror was almost surreal as they prepared to shower together; like a scene from a different life, before everything had gone so terribly wrong. As she stood there beside him, her heart racing and her skin tingling with anticipation, Lena couldn't help but wonder if this could somehow be a first step toward healing the wounds that had divided them for so long.

Her breath hitches as she feels his body press against hers in the hot water; it sends shivers down her spine and causes an unfamiliar ache deep within her. She leans back against him, reveling in the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her waist, and lets out a soft moan when he kisses her neck, his lips brushing against her sensitive skin with just enough pressure to send heat coursing through her veins.

As she closes her eyes and gives herself over to the sensations, she can't help but wonder if this is really what they both want. But as their bodies slip further into sync beneath the water, it's harder and harder to deny the growing desire between them. Perhaps, just maybe, there's a chance for them after all.

Her heart skips a beat as his lips meet hers, her body responding instinctively to the touch. "I missed you too," she whispers back, her words muffled by their kiss. It's impossible not to feel the depth of emotion in his voice and in every touch; he's been holding onto this desire for so long, and now that it's finally out in the open, she can't deny how much she wants it too.

As they continue to kiss, their hands wander over each other's bodies, exploring skin previously untouched for far too long. The heat between them grows, fueled by the sensual dance of their limbs and the intimate connection they share in this moment. For now, all that matters is this: being with him like this, rediscovering what it means to be together again.