Love's Redemption



"Already calling me old on our first day?" Hayden teased with a smirk.

Keira took a sip of the warm milk and replied playfully, “Oh, then I won't call you that anymore.”

"What do you plan to call me, then?" he asked, suddenly leaning closer.

He remained standing, but his gaze locked onto hers. His dark eyes sparkled like starlight, so vivid that even her reflection in them seemed to glow. Without thinking, Keira tilted her head up and pressed her lips against his.

Hayden froze, momentarily surprised by her boldness. But in the next instant, he placed his hands on the table to steady himself, lowering his body to meet her, making sure she didn't tire herself as she gifted him this kiss.

“Hayden, thank you,” Keira said softly after the kiss, voicing the words she hadn't spoken earlier during the ceremony.

"Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for accepting all of me, flaws and all, and loving me so deeply. Thank you for returning to me despite everything we've been through. And thank you for choosing to walk with me for the rest of our lives..."

Their story didn't have the best beginning, and the journey had been anything but smooth. Yet they hadn't lost each other along the way. Keira knew that was because of Hayden.

At every turning point, if he had even once chosen to let go, there would be no "them" today.

“Thank you accepted," he replied simply, his tone light but sincere.

Then he stood up straight and turned away.

Keira laughed. "That's it? I said so much, and all you have to say is 'thank you accepted'?"

He turned back with a smirk. "What, you want a return gift too?"

Shouldn't he at least reciprocate her heartfelt words? But knowing his straightforward nature, she stabbed a piece of cake with her fork and popped it into her mouth. "Forget it. If you're not sincere, then it's not worth it."

True to form, Hayden didn't argue. He walked off to start cleaning the coffee cups and tidying up the courtyard after their day of celebration.

Keira sat there watching him, his figure moving with quiet efficiency. He didn't need to say grand words or perform dramatic gestures to prove his love-she knew exactly what kind of

man he was.

His love wasn't spoken; it was shown, day after day, in everything he did.

In truth, life wasn't built on flowery words. No couple or lover could live with sweet talk

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forever. Love was found in the simple, tangible acts of care and devotion.

When Keira saw he was almost done tidying, she finished her milk and dessert, preparing to clean up and head home with him. After all, that night was their wedding night.

The thought made her smile. Who else would spend their wedding day working until the middle of the night without going home?

Anyone watching them might have thought they were absurd, a couple so poor they couldn't take a day off from running their café-not realizing all the coffee that day had been on the house. Every guest had been treated for free as a token of the love Hayden and Keira shared.

Just as Keira stood up, all the lights suddenly went out.noveldrama

Startled, she froze in place, instinctively protecting her belly. She didn't dare move and called out, "Why is there a power outage?"

There was no response.

The abrupt transition from light to darkness disoriented her, and though the moon and stars offered faint illumination, it wasn't enough. She felt a flicker of unease.

"Hayden..." Keira called again, louder this time.

"Hay-" Before she could finish, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap tightly around her waist. She didn't panic. She wasn't afraid, because she knew instantly that it was Hayden. "Don't be scared of the dark. I'm here for you. If the wind rises, don't worry-I'll shield you from it. I don't know how long I'll live, but I'll do everything I can to live longer than you. That way, you'll never have to face the darkness or the storms alone," he murmured, his deep, gentle voice resonating in her ear. "I don't know how to be a perfect husband-this is my first time in the role-but I'll give you everything I can." As his heartfelt words surrounded her, she couldn't hold back her tears. They rolled down her cheeks silently, soaking into his embrace.

In the quiet darkness, under the glow of the moon and stars, Keira held onto him tightly, knowing that as long as he was by her side, she would never have to face anything alone.