Wishful Thoughts, Or Harsh Reality...

Her eyes darted toward him for a fleeting moment before looking away again, her jaw tightening.

Arthur let out a slow breath, his own heart twisting at the sight of her struggling.

He reached out carefully, his hand hovering near hers but not touching. "Charlotte," he said, his voice softer now, barely above a whisper.

"I don't know what you're going through, and I can't pretend to understand how hard this is for you. But what I can promise you—what I will promise you—is that you're not going to face any of it alone."

Her grip on the armrest loosened slightly, though she still didn't meet his gaze.

Arthur's tone grew firmer, not in a commanding way, but in a way that carried his sincerity. "I'm with you. Every step of the way. Whatever you're feeling, whatever happens next—whether it's good, bad, or somewhere in between—I'll be here."