Whispers of Forever

The sun had begun its slow descent over the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange, pink, and violet. Evelyn and Luca sat on the wooden deck of their villa, a bottle of wine between them, the ocean waves providing a rhythmic backdrop to their quiet conversation.

Evelyn traced the rim of her glass with her finger, her gaze lost in the endless stretch of water before them. "It still feels surreal," she murmured.

Luca leaned back on his hands, watching her. "What does?"

"This." She gestured vaguely around them. "Freedom. Not having to constantly look over our shoulders. No enemies lurking in the dark. No betrayals."

Luca reached for her hand, his thumb running along the delicate bones of her wrist. "It's real, Evelyn. And it's ours."

She sighed, tilting her head toward him. "Do you ever think about what would have happened if things had gone differently? If we never met?"

Luca frowned at the thought. "No," he answered firmly. "Because I can't imagine a life without you in it."

Evelyn smiled softly, setting her glass down and shifting closer to him. "You always know what to say."

He smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It's because I mean every word."

She let out a breathy laugh, but it was tinged with emotion. "I never thought I'd find something like this."

Luca's expression turned serious as he reached for her, his hand cradling the back of her neck. "Then let's make a promise."

She arched a brow. "A promise?"

He nodded. "That no matter what happens—no matter where life takes us—we'll always find our way back to each other."

Evelyn's eyes searched his, and for the first time in a long while, she felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years.

Hope.

Slowly, she lifted her pinky, a playful but meaningful smile on her lips.

Luca chuckled but linked his pinky with hers anyway, sealing the promise with a kiss against her forehead.

The wind carried their silent vows into the night, whispering of forever.