If being with me is truly his choice, then I’ll respect it and cherish him with all that I have. I meant it when I said he didn’t deserve the pain I will bring him one day, but if he wants me despite it, then how stupid would I be to say no?

The smile Aaron gives me in return makes me regret not telling him sooner. He needs to be this happy all the time. And from now on, ensuring this will be my mission.

Leaning forward, he whispers above my lips, “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

It breaks my heart yet another time, to see how much he’s been craving something I could’ve given him so easily. But at the same time, it gives me hope, because I can see in his lips that maybe, just maybe, I am truly what he needs.

“Then I’ll repeat it every day,” I say, a promise I intend to keep with everything I have in me. If there’s one thing I can offer him, it’s all the love I have in me.

Abruptly, I climb on my tiptoes and kiss him like I’ve wanted to kiss him for months. Like he’s mine.

Because he is.

Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

Aaron

The facility is large and sparse.

It’s obviously been designed to house people who could be at risk of tripping in a cluttered space or of hurting themselves with objects that aren’t essential.

Even then, it feels warm. Like a true home for the residents.

Beside me, Wren is chewing her bottom lip so hard she’ll probably draw blood soon. I grab her hand, running a finger over her thumb.

Attention returned, she turns to me and gives me a tight smile.

“It’s going to be fine,” I tell her.

“You can’t know that.”

Leaning down to kiss her scalp, I say, “Yes, I do. Because even if she doesn’t react well to me, I know it doesn’t mean anything.”

“It’s a harsh thing to see.” She blinks repeatedly.

“I’m sure.” I squeeze her hand tighter as we walk toward her mother’s room. “But I also know that it’ll be the disease speaking if things go south.”

“They will go south. They always do.”

“Then they do.” She needs to see this is not a problem for me. With her by my side, nothing could be.

With pursed lips, she says, “How can you always be so casual about things?”

Stopping in the hallway, I turn and hold her by the shoulders. “It’s your mom, Wren. Even if she isn’t the person she used to be, she’s still the person who raised my person, and I’m honored to have the chance to meet her.”