Mary watched the man beside her as he drove with steady focus, his profile sharp and reliable under the sunlight filtering through the windshield.
For the first time, the thought settled quietly but firmly in her heart. If there was a future, she wanted it to be with him. Not out of impulse, not out of dependence, but because walking beside him felt natural, like something that should have always been so.
She turned toward him, her voice calm yet solemn.
"I hope that for the rest of my life, I can keep walking with you. If you don't abandon me, I will never leave you."
Ryan loosened his grip on the steering wheel slightly and reached out with his free hand, gently brushing her hair back. His eyes remained on the road, but his voice carried unwavering resolve.
"Mary, I, Ryan, have already decided that I will never let go of your hand in this lifetime."
