Lora’s heart clenched at the raw emotion in his voice. She could feel his pain, his guilt, and it hurt her to see him carrying that burden. She shook her head gently, her hand squeezing his.
"Azriel," she whispered, her voice firm but filled with love, "that’s in the past. You couldn’t have known. None of us could’ve predicted how things would turn out, and we can’t change what’s already happened. But what matters is that you’re here now. You’re with me now, and that’s all that I need. I survived those challenges, and they made me stronger. They brought me to you."
Azriel’s eyes softened as he looked at her, the weight of her words slowly easing the tension in his heart. "But I should’ve been there," he said, his voice still thick with emotion. "I should’ve been the one to protect you, t
