Chapter 12 - Stepping Out of the Shadows
Our honeymoon began a few days later on a secluded, private island in the Maldives. The crystal-clear azure waters and pristine white sands seemed to wash away years of accumulated exhaustion. There were no whispering socialites, no judgmental stares, and no toxic venom from Chloe.
On our third afternoon, as I was lounging on a sunbed soaking in the tropical warmth, Liam walked over with two iced cocktails. He sat down beside me, his fingers gently brushing the nape of my neck, tracing the long, jagged surgical scar that I used to hide at all costs.
"Every single one of these marks tells a story of how incredibly brave you are,"
May you like
He whispered, his touch feather-light and reverent.
In the past, I would have flinched or pulled my collar up. This time, I didn't retreat. I let him trace the lines of my survival, fully and unconditionally accepting myself.
