In the weeks that followed, Lena and Jace continued to navigate the tension between them. They kept their feelings private, even as the bond between them deepened. It wasn't easy, but they had come to understand that they didn't have to define what was happening right away.
They talked, laughed, and spent time together, but the unspoken promise of their connection hung in the air, waiting for the right moment to break free. And while they both knew the complications that would arise from being more than just step-siblings, they also understood that sometimes, the heart doesn't follow the rules.
The future was uncertain, but for the first time, Lena felt like she was exactly where she needed to be—right beside Jace.
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