The more he spoke in that soft, gentle voice, the harder it became to hold back my tears. Why did he have to be so kind? So warm? If he kept treating me like this, I was afraid I'd completely fall apart.
"Can I … can I hug you?" I asked hesitantly, my voice trembling. "Just for a minute."
Back then, no matter how much I cried, I never had anyone to lean on, and no one to hold me or comfort me. That was why I'd always wondered what it felt like to be in someone's arms, even just for a minute.
Lando didn't say a word. Instead, he reached out and gently pulled me toward him. Before I even realized what was happening, I was already in his embrace.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling my whole body finally relax against him. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat as his arms wrapped around me.
The night air was growing colder, but for some reason, his embrace felt so warm. It was like standing under the sun in the middle of winter.
