Chapter 194
Chapter 194:
The IV drip ticked away with patient persistence, each drop marking time in a room otherwise swallowed by silence, broken only by the steady rise and fall of Brinley’s and Austin’s breaths.
Brinley’s thoughts drifted back to the promise she had made—three days to reflect before sharing her decision with him. Yet she realized that barely half that time had passed.
Even so, after confiding in Austin about her past with Colin, the doubts that had gnawed at her melted away, leaving behind only clarity.
When love claimed her, it came without calculation or warning—an instinct as natural as breathing, impossible to resist. And Austin—steady, radiant, undeservingly kind—was worth every leap of faith.
Her fingers tightened around the blanket as she finally lifted her gaze.
“Austin,” she whispered, her voice delicate yet sharp enough to cut through the hush, the syllables trembling with intent.
Austin raised his eyes to hers, confusion flickering across his face as his fingers instinctively tightened around hers.
“About that promise…” Brinley’s pulse thundered, but she forced herself onward. “I want to tell you my decision now p>
His grip grew firmer, his throat working as he swallowed hard. He didn’t speak, only watched her intently, silently urging her to continue.
Drawing in a steadying breath, Brinley spoke with gravity. “When I told you I’d try to like you, that wasn’t the truth p>
Austin’s eyes widened, tension flashing across his face as his hand curled into a fist against his leg.
𝘞𝖾 𝗎𝗽𝘥a𝘁e 𝘦𝘷𝖾r𝗒 we𝖾𝘬 𝗼𝗻 ѕ.𝘤o𝗺
“Actually…” Brinley’s cheeks warmed as she ducked her gaze from his piercing stare, her voice dropping to a trembling whisper. “I’ve been in love with you for a while. I can’t even tell when it began p>
Austin froze, disbelief written plainly across his features.
His throat worked as if the words were lodged there, and when he finally managed to speak, his voice wavered. “Did I hear that right p>
She found his stunned expression unexpectedly endearing, the tightness in her chest slowly unraveling.
Meeting his gaze head-on, Brinley spoke with deliberate clarity. “I said I love you, Austin. Not that I’m trying. Not that I might someday. I already do. From this moment forward, we’re officially together p>
Her declaration lingered in the air, and for a few heartbeats, silence pressed around them like a fragile veil.
Austin’s eyes stayed locked on hers, emotions tangled in his gaze—disbelief, wonder, a fragile joy.
Brinley shifted nervously, nudging his arm with a light touch. “Aren’t you going to say something p>
Before her words had fully settled, Austin pulled her into his arms.
His embrace was firm and heated, stripping away the last of her defenses in a single breath. From above her head came his trembling voice, low and fervent. “I can’t believe I finally have your love p>
His hold tightened further, as though he feared she might vanish, as if he needed to fuse her into his very being just to prove this moment was real.
Brinley let out a shaky sound, her chest rising and falling as if the air itself had grown thin.