Chapter 47

Alice observed their intertwined hands, but James's gaze seemed distant as if he feared the possibility of rejection and was avoiding direct eye contact with her. Alice smiled nervously and tightened their hold. As she felt James's shoulders relax, her smile grew wider. She knew this was selfishness, more than friendship she couldn't offer him but for now, she wanted to be selfish. James had been scared that she might pull away or become angry, but seeing her relaxed, James felt he was moving in the right direction. He knew he couldn't rush things, so he decided to take small steps toward building a connection with her. Their dynamic had always been easygoing, and today was no exception. His friendly and understanding demeanor provided Alice with the comfort she needed. He carefully avoided any discussions that might bring back the stress of her personal life. As they continued their day at the amusement park, the atmosphere gradually shifted. What started as a friendly outing evolved