Chapter 82: Echoes of Affection

Taylor woke up the next morning with a strange sense of resolve. The night had been long and restless, but somewhere in the midst of her worries, she had made a decision. She couldn’t let fear dictate her actions. If she wanted to hold onto Alex, she had to fight for their love, even if that meant confronting the uncomfortable truths she had been avoiding. As she stepped out of bed, the sunlight streaming through the window felt like a small blessing, a reminder that the world was still turning and there was still hope. She grabbed her phone and sent Alex a quick text, asking him to meet her at their favorite café. She needed to talk to him and lay everything out on the table before it was too late. When she arrived at the café, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries filled the air, but today, it did little to calm her nerves. Taylor chose a table by the window, her eyes scanning the street outside as she waited for Alex. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one adding to the weight