Abigail looked at him a long moment. “I didn’t forgive you all at once,” she said.

“I know.”

“I forgave you a little at a time. And some days I’m still working on it.”

He nodded, understanding more than he had before. Abigail closed the ring box gently and held his eyes.

“Just stay,” she said. “That matters more than anything else.”

Julian smiled through tears. “I’m staying,” he promised.

In the living room, Dr. Pierce rested quietly while Mason let out a soft laugh in his sleep, as if he could feel that something in their world had finally settled.

Abigail had never needed anyone to rescue her; she’d already saved herself. She had only left the door open — just wide enough for someone brave enough to come back and finally learn how to stay.

THE END.