Chapter 25

After everything, Rachel’s heart raced as she caught sight of Jaxon sitting alone on their usual bench at the park, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the dusk.

She quickened her pace, a tumult of emotions surging through her. Love and longing. Fear and uncertainty. But beneath it all was a deep-rooted certainty — she couldn’t imagine her life without Jaxon.

“Jaxon.” His name escaped her lips in a soft whisper as she came to a stop before him.

He looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. A slow smile spread across his face and he stood, pulling her into his arms. “You came.”

“Of course I came.” She breathed in his familiar scent of leather and spice, melting into his embrace.

He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “It’s been a chaos of a week for both of us, it seems.”

Tears sprang to her eyes as she gazed into his eyes.

“You’ll always have me.” He brushed his lips over hers, a feather-light touch that sent sparks dancing across her skin. “We’ll get through this together, just like we get through everything else.”

She smiled, winding her arms around his neck to pull him closer. “Together,” she whispered, before claiming his mouth in a searing kiss.

She pulled away, heart pounding as she gazed into his eyes. Now was the moment of truth.

“Look,” she said, raising her arm to show him the tattoo. “I got this for you. A symbol of my love, and my commitment to facing my past so I can build a future with you.”

His eyes widened as he took in the tattoo, fingers gently tracing the ink on her skin. “Rachel,” he breathed, emotion thickening his voice. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I wanted to.” She smiled up at him.

Jaxon tensed, his hand dropping from her wrist. She could see the conflict in his eyes.

“I know it’s difficult to face our pasts,” she said gently. “But we can’t move on until we do.”

He pulled her close again, enveloping her in his warmth. She could feel the tension easing from his body as he relaxed into her embrace. “You’re right. I’m ready to face him.”

“When?” Jaxon asked.

“Now.”

“That’s my girl,” Jaxon said with a grin. He slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close against his side as they began the walk to her car.

Rachel relaxed into his embrace, drawing strength from his solid presence. The path ahead would not be easy, but Jaxon would be there to guide her. Together, they could face any challenge. Even the ghosts of the past.

They reached Rachel’s car, but neither of them moved to get in. An awkward silence fell as the weight of what was to come settled over them.

Rachel bit her lip, anxiety churning in her stomach. What if her dad didn’t want to see her? What if the wounds of the past were too deep to heal? She stared unseeing at the ground, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps.

A finger tilted her chin up. Jaxon gazed down at her, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion. “It’s going to be okay.”

She threw her arms around him, clinging to his solid strength. He wrapped her in a fierce embrace, his warmth seeping into her bones and calming her frayed nerves.

After a long moment, Rachel pulled back with a shaky smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Jaxon brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “You’ll never have to find out.” His lips curved into a teasing grin.

Rachel laughed, the tension in her chest easing. Trust Jaxon to know exactly what to say to lift her spirits. She squeezed his hand and moved to get into the driver’s seat, determination overriding her anxiety. This was a new chapter waiting to be written. And she was ready to face it with her heart full of love - for herself, for her past, and for the man who made her whole.

“See you after,” Jaxon said, closing the door behind her.

She started the engine, meeting his gaze through the open window. A soft smile curved her lips.

Rachel drove off, her hands tightening around the steering wheel. She took a deep breath, centering herself. You can do this.

In the rearview mirror, she saw Jaxon’s figure grow smaller until he disappeared from view. The loss left an ache in her chest, but also a quiet strength. She wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

The road stretched endlessly ahead, both familiar and strange. So much had changed since the last time she traveled down this path. She was no longer the frightened girl running from her past, with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Now she had a home. She had love. And she was ready to face the ghosts that had haunted her for far too long.

Rachel arrived at the old farmhouse as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant shades of red and gold. The familiar sight evoked a swell of bittersweet nostalgia. So many memories, good and bad, were etched into the weathered wood and stones of her childhood home.

She got out of the car on unsteady legs, her heart pounding. For a long moment, she simply stood there drinking in the sight. Then a figure emerged from the house, and she froze.

It was her dad. Older, more careworn, but unmistakably him. He paused at the top of the steps, staring at her with a complex mix of emotions flickering over his face.

Rachel opened her mouth, a thousand thoughts and feelings crowding her mind, but only one word came out.

“Dad?”