Chapter 23

• The salt spray kissed Cleo’s face as she stood beside Rowan, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore a counterpoint to the frantic beat of her heart. They had found a hidden cove, a small, secluded beach tucked away from the prying eyes of the world, a sanctuary carved from the rugged coastline. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and deep violet, a breathtaking spectacle that momentarily eclipsed the fear that gnawed at their insides.
• Rowan’s arm encircled her waist, his touch a silent reassurance against the storm of anxieties that threatened to overwhelm them. They had escaped Julian’s clutches, but the feeling of freedom remained elusive, a fragile butterfly fluttering just beyond their grasp. The weight of his relentless pursuit still bore down on them, a dark shadow stretching across their fragile haven. The quiet intimacy of this secluded spot was a stark contrast to the constant tension that had defined their lives for so long.
• Cleo leaned into Rowan, burying her face in his chest, the warmth of his body a comforting anchor in the turbulent sea of her emotions. The scent of the ocean, the feel of the sand between her toes, the gentle caress of the wind – these simple things, once taken for granted, now held a preciousness that transcended their immediate circumstances.