“You’re already dealing with moderate depression, and you still say you’re fine?” Jenny wiped at her tears, her voice tight with worry.
“Finn, please keep an eye on her—talk to her, encourage her. My husband needs me for something, so I have to step out for a bit.”
Jenny left, and Finnian turned to Liliana. “Have you been feeling this way for a while?”
Depression never shows up overnight, he thought. Whatever Liliana was going through, it had to be about more than just the miscarriage.
Liliana lowered her gaze and said quietly, “Honestly, the stress has been overwhelming lately. Nothing’s going right, not at work, not in my personal life.”
“I’ve been so busy, I didn’t even realize how bad things had gotten. If my mom hadn’t dragged me to see a doctor, I probably still wouldn’t know I was sick. I just thought I was unhappy, that’s all.”
She paused, rubbing her palm over her eyes. “But what I did yesterday… it was a moment of weakness. Losing the baby broke me, and then you— you said you were leaving…”
Her voice cracked and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
Clutching Finnian’s hand, Liliana looked at him with desperate hope. “Finn, have you made up your mind? Will you stay with me?”
Finnian gently withdrew his hand, standing silently for a long moment.
His profile was sharp, distant, eyes cast downward. Liliana couldn’t read his face, and she waited, anxiety twisting inside her.
At last, Finnian spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “I will.”
Just two simple words, but as soon as he said them, it felt like something hollowed out his chest—as if a piece of his heart had been carved away.
But Liliana’s face lit up with joy. She threw her arms around his, her voice trembling with relief. “Thank you, Finn, thank you! I knew you still cared! I’m so happy—I really am!”
“I don’t need a title or anything. As long as you’re here with me, that’s enough…”

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