Jefferson's POV
That phone call with Alana had shattered every wall I'd built around my heart. Her words still echoed in my mind, relentless and undeniable.
"Elisabeth is in love with you."
The truth hit me like lightning splitting through darkness. All those months of running from what I felt, of convincing myself that distance would solve everything. I'd been a fool.
Elisabeth loved me.
The realization unleashed something inside me that I'd kept locked away for years. Every memory of her came flooding back with devastating clarity. The way she looked at me like I was worth saving. Her laugh that could light up the darkest corners of my soul. How she believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself.
And somewhere between Alana's revelation and booking the first flight home, I'd admitted what I'd been denying all along.
I loved her too.
