Chapter 35: "A Heart's Confession"

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the hotel room as Taylor slowly woke up. Her heart felt light, and the remnants of the previous night’s emotional revelations were still warming her from the inside out. She rolled over, expecting to see Alex beside her, but the bed was empty. For a moment, a flicker of panic rose in her chest, but it was quickly replaced by relief when she heard the faint sound of running water from the bathroom. She sighed, allowing herself to sink back into the plush pillows. The events of the last few days had been a whirlwind—between confronting her feelings for Alex and finally admitting them, she felt like she was on a high-speed emotional rollercoaster. But now that they had crossed that line, everything felt different, more intense, and more real. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. The door to the bathroom creaked open, and Alex stepped out, a towel slung low aro