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ESMIE SIGHED AS SHE ADJUSTED HER DRESS, FINGERS TREMBLING SLIGHTLY AS THE FABRIC SHIFTED BENEATH HER TOUCH.

The past few weeks had been an agonising blur of fear and uncertainty. Voldemort was defeated, but that victory had come with an aftermath none of them could have predicted. The Ministry had begun rounding up anyone with ties to the Death Eaters almost immediately—Mattheo, Draco, Enzo. Esmie herself had been taken in for questioning, though they released her quickly when they realised she had fought alongside Harry during the battle. It didn't feel like a victory, though. None of it did.

Standing in front of the mirror, she felt hollow, her reflection a shadow of the person she'd been before all of this. She barely recognised herself, the weight of everything making her feel like she was drowning, and now, with Enzo's trial looming over them, it felt like she was sinking even deeper.

"Esmie, are you ready?" Josie's voice broke through the suffocating silence as she stepped into the room, her presence a soothing balm against the storm brewing in Esmie's heart. Esmie turned to face her, her eyes clouded with worry, hands still fidgeting with her dress.

"I—I know I promised I would go, but what if... what if they send him to Azkaban?" Her voice trembled, and the rawness of her fear filled the room. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose Enzo."

Josie walked over, her expression gentle but firm. "They're not going to send him to Azkaban. He didn't choose this, Esmie. Bellatrix forced him to take the mark. You know that. You were there. You and Draco both told me how Enzo stood up for you when Bellatrix was torturing you. He made the right choice when it mattered most."

Esmie wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her breath. "But what if it's not enough? The Ministry—they don't care about that. They care about what they can prove, about who they can punish."

Before Josie could respond, the door creaked open again, and Danielle stepped inside. She moved quietly, her presence unassuming yet unmistakable. She had been through her own hell over the past few weeks, losing her father and watching both of her brothers face trials for their ties to their father and the Death Eaters, her entire world turned upside down. Yet she remained a steady force, her calm exterior hiding whatever turmoil she kept inside.

Danielle walked over, her dark eyes soft as they landed on Esmie. "Josie's right," she said quietly but with a strength that made Esmie pause. "Enzo didn't want any part of this. He fought for you, for all of us. The Ministry will see that."

Esmie looked at Danielle, tears brimming in her eyes. "But what if they don't? What if they just see him as another Death Eater?"

Danielle stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Esmie's shoulder. "We all had to play roles to survive, Esmie. We had to do things we didn't want to do. That doesn't make us evil. The Ministry is still figuring all of this out, and they're not going to lock him away for being caught up in something he never believed in. You know Enzo's heart. He's a good person, and that's what they'll see."

Esmie nodded, her chest tight with emotion. She wanted to believe them, wanted to trust that everything would be okay, but the fear gnawed at her, relentless. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for this. What if I lose him? What if everything falls apart?"

"You're stronger than you think," Danielle said softly. "You survived Bellatrix. You survived this war. You'll survive this too. And Enzo will, because he has you."

Josie stepped forward, her hands gently brushing through Esmie's hair, fixing a few stray strands. "Come on, Esmie. Draco, Mattheo, Theo, and Elsie are waiting downstairs, and Narcissa's prepared breakfast. You need to eat something before we head to the Ministry."

Esmie shook her head, her stomach twisted into tight knots. "I'm not hungry."

Josie crossed her arms, her expression firm but understanding. "You need to eat. You've barely touched any food since the battle, and I know you haven't been sleeping. Enzo wouldn't want you to fall apart, Esmie. He needs you to be strong, and you can't do that if you're running on nothing."

Esmie huffed, her voice thin and strained. "I'm not falling apart."

Danielle tilted her head, her gaze piercing but kind. "Maybe not, but you're holding on by a thread. Let us help you."

Esmie closed her eyes, exhaling a shaky breath. "Fine. If it'll make you both happy, I'll eat something."

Josie smiled softly, taking Esmie's hand and guiding her toward the door. Danielle followed closely behind, silent but present. As they walked through the grand corridors of Malfoy Manor, the memories of the war seemed to echo off the walls. Esmie's heart pounded in her chest as they passed the room where Bellatrix had tortured her, a place she had tried to avoid ever since the battle ended. The air felt heavier, darker, like a weight pressing down on her lungs. She tried to push the memories away, but they clung to her like shadows.

Danielle noticed her hesitation, glancing at her with a knowing look but saying nothing. Esmie appreciated it—Danielle always seemed to understand when words were unnecessary, offering silent support in a way that few others could.

When they entered the dining room, they found Mattheo, Theo, Draco, and Elsie already seated at the long table. Narcissa stood at the head, her smile warm but weary as she gestured to the spread of food.

"Please, help yourselves to whatever you'd like, Esmie," Narcissa offered gently.

Esmie nodded, her eyes scanning the food, but her appetite had vanished the moment they'd reached the table. Her stomach churned with anxiety, making it hard to even think about eating. She grabbed a yogurt, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on her.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing. "I'm just... I have allergies, so I'm careful with what I eat."

Narcissa smiled kindly, her eyes full of understanding. "Of course, dear. Don't worry about a thing."

But Esmie couldn't shake the feeling that she was intruding, that somehow she wasn't supposed to be here, at this table, among these people who had their own struggles, their own battles to face. Before anyone could say more, she stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.

"I think... I think I'll just head to the Ministry now," she said quickly, the tension in her voice clear. "I'll see you all there."

"Esmie, wait—" Josie started, but Esmie was already gone, hurrying out of the room before anyone could stop her. She rushed through the front doors and into the cool air outside, her heart racing as she tried to catch her breath.

Esmie lay next to Enzo, watching the peaceful rise and fall of his chest as he slept. His face, usually marked with the tension of the past few weeks, looked so serene in this moment. The soft light from the window illuminated his features, and for a fleeting second, everything felt right. Esmie's fingers gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead, the simple gesture bringing her comfort, but as she started to pull her hand back, Enzo stirred slightly. His eyes remained closed, but his hand reached up instinctively, catching hers. With a gentle but firm grip, he placed her hand on his cheek, keeping it there as his eyes fluttered open.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Morning," he whispered, his voice still thick with sleep.

Esmie smiled back, rubbing her thumb tenderly across his cheek. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, Sweets," she murmured, her heart swelling with affection. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips felt like a brief respite from the storm that had overtaken their lives.

Enzo shook his head, his hand sliding up to rest on her arm. "You can wake me up anytime," he started to say, but his words were abruptly cut off by a loud, insistent knock on the door.

Both of them stiffened instantly, their peaceful moment shattered. They exchanged a glance, fear flickering in their eyes. Esmie felt her stomach drop as she slid out of bed, her pulse quickening.

"I'll see who it is," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. She hurried to the door, her heart pounding harder with each step. The house felt suffocating, and the weight of dread pressed down on her like a physical force.

When she cracked open the door, a tall, stern-looking man stood on the threshold. His eyes were cold, and behind him, several more men waited, their wands tucked into their belts. Esmie swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.

"Is this the home of a Lorenzo Berkshire?" the man at the door asked, his voice flat and authoritative.

"What's going on?" Esmie asked, the knot of dread tightening in her stomach. She barely had time to comprehend his presence before the men behind him pushed past her, barging into the house without waiting for an invitation. Panic flooded her chest as she watched them march straight toward the bedroom.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Esmie cried out, chasing after them. She reached for the man's arm, but he brushed her aside with chilling indifference. Her heart dropped as she caught sight of Enzo being pulled from the bed, his expression going from confusion to horror in an instant.

"No! Let him go!" Esmie shouted, her voice cracking with desperation as she sprinted toward Enzo. But before she could reach him, one of the men grabbed her from behind, his grip strong and unyielding. "He didn't do anything wrong!"

The man holding her barely spared her a glance as he responded coldly, "The Minister has ordered the arrest of all known Death Eaters."

"Enzo isn't a Death Eater!" Esmie screamed, struggling against the man's iron grip. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tried to break free, but it was no use. The man's hold on her only tightened, his face impassive as he restrained her.

Enzo, still in the clutches of two other men, glanced at Esmie, his face pale but composed. "Esmie, I'll be okay," he called to her, his voice trying to be steady, though the fear was clear in his eyes.

The leader of the group, the man who had spoken first, turned his full attention to Esmie, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her. "Esmie? Are you Esmie Grisky?" he asked, his voice sharper now.

Esmie froze, her mind racing. She didn't know what to say. "Uh... yes?" she finally stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man's eyes glinted with sudden recognition, and without hesitation, he barked the next order. "Seize them both!"

Before she could fully process what was happening, another man stepped forward and grabbed her, his grip like steel around her arms. Esmie tried to struggle, her body thrashing against the restraint, but it was futile. The man was far too strong, and her frantic attempts to break free only seemed to amuse him.

"No, let her go!" Enzo shouted, his voice filled with desperation as he fought against the men holding him, but his struggles were in vain. The men dragged him farther from Esmie, and her heart shattered as she realised what was happening.

They were being taken.

"E-Enzo!" Esmie screamed, panic and helplessness clawing at her throat as she was pulled toward the door. Her legs felt like jelly beneath her, and she stumbled, trying to fight her way back to him, but the man's grip tightened painfully around her wrists.

"Get your hands off of her!" Enzo's voice was hoarse, almost unrecognisable as he struggled harder against the men restraining him. His eyes locked onto hers, wide with fear and frustration. But no matter how much he fought, the distance between them grew.

The men dragged them out of the house, the air outside cold and biting against Esmie's skin. She struggled against her captors with renewed fury, but nothing she did loosened their hold on her. "Enzo!" she screamed again, her voice breaking as the weight of the situation pressed down on her.

Enzo's head turned sharply at the sound of her voice, his eyes locking onto hers. Tears filled Esmie's eyes, blurring her vision as she saw the raw fear and sadness etched into his expression. His lips moved, but she couldn't make out the words as they were pulled in opposite directions, their bodies disappearing from each other's view.

Tears streamed down Esmie's cheeks as she fought in vain against the man holding her. "No! Please! Don't take him!" she sobbed, her heart breaking with every step that pulled her farther from Enzo. She had no idea where they were taking them, no idea what awaited them at the Ministry. All she knew was the unbearable ache of being torn away from him.

As they shoved her into the back of a cold, dark carriage, Esmie felt the walls closing in around her. Her chest heaved with silent sobs as she clung to the last memory of Enzo's face, the look in his eyes, the promise that he would be okay, but as the carriage jolted into motion, rumbling down the cobbled streets, Esmie was no longer sure if that promise would hold.

She wondered, in the deepest corner of her heart, if she would ever see him again.

Esmie's thoughts swirled as she stood in the Ministry's stark, cold room, waiting for any sign of news. She remembered all too clearly being dragged into an interrogation room by Ministry officials, their faces cold and unfeeling as they bombarded her with endless questions. For hours, they demanded details of her connection to Enzo, to the war, to the Death Eaters, but all she wanted to do was find Enzo, to know he was okay, to go home and feel some semblance of peace after all they had been through.

When they finally let her go, it hadn't been with any reassurance. She'd been shoved out of the Ministry with a brusque warning that she wouldn't be allowed to see Enzo until the time of his trial. The thought of being apart from him for days, maybe weeks, had nearly crushed her, but she had no choice but to wait.

The days that followed were torturous. She paced her room at Malfoy Manor, waiting anxiously for an owl to arrive with news of Enzo's trial date. Danielle, one of her closest friends, had stayed by her side the entire time. Danielle and Mattheo had become a huge part of Esmie's life since Hogwarts, and through it all, Danielle had been a quiet pillar of support. Every evening, Danielle would sit with her, offering gentle words of encouragement or simply her quiet presence.

"Any news yet?" Danielle had asked gently one evening, her voice soft as she sat next to Esmie in the drawing room. Esmie had only shaken her head, too drained to speak, and Danielle had reached over to squeeze her hand, her presence steady and comforting.

When the owl finally came, a mere week after Draco's trial, Esmie had nearly collapsed with relief. The trial date had been set, and she would finally see Enzo again.

Now, standing in front of the towering Ministry building, Esmie took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. With a sharp twist, she apparated, landing with a jolt in front of the imposing structure. The Ministry's tall, cold walls loomed over her, their presence an unwelcome reminder of how much their world had changed. Each step inside the building felt heavier than the last, the empty corridors echoing with her footsteps.

When she finally reached the courtroom, it was already beginning to fill. Her heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the room for familiar faces. Mattheo's voice broke through her thoughts as he approached her, his usual playful grin softened by the seriousness of the situation.

"Hey, Emmy," he greeted her, his tone light but concerned.

Esmie turned to face him, managing a small smile despite the turmoil raging inside her. "Oh, hey, Matty."

"How are you holding up?" Mattheo asked, stepping closer, his brow furrowed with concern.

Esmie shrugged, glancing toward the front of the courtroom. "I'm just... ready for this to be over, but Mattheo, what if they send him to Azkaban?"

"They won't," Mattheo said confidently, but Esmie wasn't convinced.

"What if they do?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. The thought of losing Enzo gnawed at her, a cold fear that wouldn't let go.

Mattheo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Esmie, listen. They dropped the charges against Draco, against Tom and against me, and Enzo didn't do anything wrong. He took the mark because he was forced, not because he believed in it. They'll see that, and they'll let him go. You'll be together again, I promise."

Esmie nodded, trying to find comfort in Mattheo's words, but the fear still clung to her. She turned when she felt another presence approaching. Danielle had arrived, her dark eyes soft as she slipped into the seat beside Esmie.

"Matty's right, you know," Danielle said quietly. "They're not going to send Enzo to Azkaban. He was forced into this. He's not a Death Eater by choice, and everyone who knows him will speak for him."

Esmie gave Danielle a grateful look, and the three of them sat in silence as the courtroom continued to fill. Esmie's heart nearly stopped when the doors opened and Enzo walked in, shackled and flanked by guards. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world stood still.

Before Esmie could move, Mattheo leaned closer, his voice low. "Don't go to him. Not yet."

"W-What?" Esmie whispered back, her instincts screaming at her to run to Enzo, to hold him and tell him everything would be okay, but Mattheo's firm hand on hers kept her grounded.

Enzo, sensing her movement, struggled against the guard holding him. The guard roughly shoved him forward, and Esmie's heart lurched at the sight.

"N-No—" she started to cry out, but Mattheo quickly covered her mouth, his expression serious.

"If I remove my hand, you have to promise me that you won't make a sound," Mattheo said firmly, his eyes locked on hers.

Esmie hesitated, then nodded, and Mattheo slowly removed his hand. She glanced at Danielle, who gave her a small, reassuring nod, silently reminding her to stay strong.

The trial began, the room hushed as the judge entered. Esmie's breath caught in her throat as the judge called Enzo to the stand.

"Mr. Berkshire," the judge began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "is it true that you were forced to take the Dark Mark by Bellatrix Lestrange?"

"Yes," Enzo replied, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "She cursed me and forced me to take the mark."

"And is it true that you saved Miss Esmeralda Grisky from Bellatrix Lestrange?" the judge asked, his gaze flicking to Esmie, who watched anxiously from the gallery.

Enzo turned in his seat, his eyes finding Esmie's. A small, tired smile touched his lips, and Esmie smiled back, her heart aching with emotion. "Yes," Enzo said, turning back to the judge. "I wish I could have done more to protect her from Bellatrix, but Esmie... she saved me. She risked her life for me, even when she didn't have to."

Esmie felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as Enzo spoke. Danielle reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"One last question," the judge said, his tone softening slightly. "What do you intend to do if you are allowed to go free?"

"I want to return to Hogwarts," Enzo answered without hesitation. "Finish my education. Get a good job, and make sure my family—my Esmie—is well taken care of."

A murmur of approval rippled through the courtroom, and Esmie's heart swelled with pride. Danielle leaned in closer, whispering, "Told you everything would be okay."

The judge studied Enzo for a long moment before speaking again. "Mr. Berkshire, the charges against you have been dropped. You are free to go."

The gavel slammed down, and the trial was over. Relief flooded Esmie, and before anyone could stop her, she jumped out of her seat, pushing past Mattheo and Danielle, and sprinted toward Enzo. In one swift motion, she threw her arms around him, her legs wrapping around his waist as he caught her in his arms.

"I missed you so much," Esmie whispered, pressing her forehead against his as he spun her around. Their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss, and for the first time in weeks, Esmie felt like everything was going to be okay.

Danielle and Mattheo approached, standing nearby with amused smiles. Mattheo cleared his throat, teasing, "I would say save it for the bedroom, but unfortunately, I share that room with you two."

Esmie pulled away from Enzo, giggling as she turned to face Mattheo. "It wouldn't be the first time you've walked in on me, Riddle."

Danielle smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe you should invest in a lock."

"Wait, hold on," Enzo said, narrowing his eyes at Mattheo. "You walked in on Esmie?"

"It was an accident," Esmie laughed, placing a hand on Enzo's arm. "He's right. I should've locked the door."

"Come on," Mattheo interrupted, rolling his eyes. "We're all heading back to the manor to celebrate."

Esmie kept her hand firmly in Enzo's as they walked over to join their friends. Danielle lingered beside them, her arm brushing against Esmie's in silent support. They joined Josie, Draco, Theo, and Elsie, all of whom greeted Enzo with relieved smiles and hugs. Draco teased Esmie as they prepared to leave.

"Does this mean you're finally going to stop whining about how much you miss Lorenzo?"

Esmie scrunched up her face in mock offence. "I did not whine!"

"You kind of did," Danielle said, smirking.

Esmie rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "Okay, maybe I did."

As the group made their way out of the Ministry, Esmie held tight to Enzo's hand, her heart full of relief and happiness. They were finally free, and she knew, with Danielle, Mattheo, and the rest of their friends by their side, they could face whatever came next.

When they arrived at Malfoy Manor, Esmie squeezed Enzo's hand tightly, the sense of relief that had been building ever since his trial finally settling into her bones. The familiar, grand surroundings of the manor were comforting in their own way, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile atmosphere of the Ministry courtroom. Enzo gave her a soft smile, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles, offering silent reassurance.

"I'm going to find Narcissa and see if she needs any help with dinner," Esmie said, her voice steady now, though her heart still fluttered from everything that had happened earlier in the day.

Enzo nodded, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting her go. "I'll be here when you get back," he said, his eyes following her fondly as she walked down the hall.

Esmie made her way through the winding corridors of Malfoy Manor, the smell of roasting meat and herbs guiding her toward the kitchen. When she entered, she found Narcissa standing at the counter, focused intently on the meal preparations. Her movements were graceful, precise, like everything Narcissa did.

"Need any help?" Esmie asked, stepping into the room.

Narcissa turned, a soft smile appearing on her face. "I would love some help, darling," she replied, nodding toward the vegetables that were waiting to be chopped. Esmie walked over, grabbed a knife, and began cutting alongside her.

For a while, they worked in comfortable silence. Esmie found solace in the rhythmic chopping and the warm, homey smell of the food cooking on the stove, but soon, the silence grew too heavy, the weight of everything that had happened lingering between them. She had been feeling guilty ever since their last interaction, fearing she had offended Narcissa during dinner preparations a few nights ago.

"I'm really sorry for offending you before," Esmie finally said, her voice quiet but sincere. "I really do enjoy your cooking, I just... wasn't myself."

Narcissa glanced over, her expression softening even further. "It's alright, darling. I understand. You've had a lot on your mind lately, especially with everything going on with Lorenzo. And Josephine mentioned that you hadn't been sleeping much," she said, her voice gentle and understanding.

Esmie let out a small sigh, cursing Josie under her breath for telling Narcissa. "Yeah, I guess I haven't. It probably sounds a little pathetic, but I sleep better when Enzo is with me."

Narcissa smiled kindly as she continued to prepare the meal. "That doesn't sound pathetic at all, Esmie. It just means you care about him. You missed him, and now you have him back."

Esmie's expression softened as she thought about Enzo. "He's my best friend. He's been there for me since we were eleven. I honestly can't imagine my life without him. He's been such a constant, you know?" She smiled fondly, her heart swelling with warmth as she remembered all the moments they'd shared throughout their years at Hogwarts.

Narcissa nodded, understanding flashing in her eyes. "He's always spoken highly of you too, you know. It's clear how much you mean to each other."

They continued working side by side, exchanging small smiles as they prepared the meal. Esmie felt lighter after their conversation, the lingering guilt she had been carrying now gone. By the time they finished, Narcissa called for everyone to join them in the dining room, and the house filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation as people filtered in.

Esmie took her seat beside Enzo, who immediately took her hand under the table, the simple gesture grounding her. Across from them, Danielle sat down with a quiet grace, her eyes watching them with her usual calm presence. The three of them had always been close, and Danielle, like Esmie, had been a constant source of strength for Enzo through the difficult times. It was hard to imagine a time when they hadn't been in each other's lives.

"This looks delicious," Elsie remarked as she began filling her plate with food. "Narcissa, you've really outdone yourself."

"Nonsense," Narcissa said modestly. "Esmie helped me with it."

Esmie's cheeks flushed slightly, her modesty kicking in. "I really only cut the vegetables," she mumbled.

"You did more than that, darling," Narcissa insisted with a warm smile, her pride in Esmie evident.

Esmie couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of belonging in this small, intimate gathering. It wasn't just the food, the warmth, or even the familiar faces. It was the sense that things were returning to normal, or at least as normal as they could be after everything they had gone through.

As the meal went on, the room filled with laughter and light conversation. Esmie found herself relaxing more with each passing minute. Enzo sat beside her, his hand still holding hers beneath the table, his fingers occasionally brushing over her skin in a quiet, comforting gesture.

After dinner, the group moved into the living room to watch a movie together. It was something they had done so many times before, but tonight felt special. It felt like they were reclaiming something that had been lost—simple moments of joy, free from the weight of war and trials.

Esmie curled up on the couch beside Enzo, resting her head on his lap. He gently draped a blanket over her and placed a hand over her waist, his fingers absentmindedly playing with the fabric of her shirt. The quiet intimacy of the moment made her smile as she snuggled closer to him. Across the room, Danielle sat in an armchair, her legs tucked beneath her as she watched them with a fond smile. She had always been protective of Esmie and Enzo, and seeing them finally at peace brought her a sense of relief.

Mattheo, who had taken his usual spot in the large armchair near the fireplace, shot them a teasing look as he passed the popcorn. "Try not to fall asleep before the movie even starts this time," he teased Esmie, a mischievous grin on his face.

Esmie chuckled softly, knowing full well she probably wouldn't make it through the whole movie. "No promises," she mumbled, already feeling the comforting pull of sleep. Between the warmth of the blanket, the coziness of Enzo's lap, and the soft murmur of conversation, her eyes grew heavier and heavier until they finally closed.

Enzo glanced down, his hand still resting on her waist. He smiled softly, noticing that she had drifted off. He pulled the blanket up higher, making sure she was comfortable, and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, the peaceful look on her face making his heart swell with affection.

Danielle, who had been quietly watching, gave him a knowing smile. "She's been waiting for this moment for a long time," she said softly, her eyes flicking between Esmie and Enzo.

Enzo nodded, his own smile filled with gratitude. "So have I."

Mattheo, lounging lazily in his chair, rolled his eyes with a grin. "You two are disgustingly cute, you know that?"

Enzo smirked, his hand never leaving Esmie's waist. "Jealous much?"

Mattheo threw a piece of popcorn at him. "Maybe just a little."

Danielle chuckled, her calm, quiet laugh filling the room. "I don't know, Mattheo. Maybe you just need to find someone who can tolerate you."

"I'd say I'm offended, but you're probably right," Mattheo said with a dramatic sigh.

The group continued to chat and laugh as the movie played in the background, the warmth of the moment enveloping them. For the first time in a long while, things felt normal—like they had taken a step back from the edge of the darkness that had consumed them for so long.

As the night wore on, the room quieted, and one by one, their friends began to drift off to sleep or retire to their rooms. Enzo stayed on the couch, Esmie still nestled against him, her soft breaths the only sound in the room. He gazed down at her, his heart full of contentment. After everything they had been through—the war, the separation, the trial—this moment, this peace, was all he had ever wanted.

With one last glance at Danielle and Mattheo, who had both fallen asleep in their chairs, Enzo leaned down to whisper against Esmie's ear. "I'm so glad you're mine," he murmured softly, brushing his lips against her temple before closing his eyes, happy to fall asleep beside the girl who had always been his world.

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And welcome to the first chapter of part three! I'm so excited for what I have planned for this part.

Enjoy! Xo

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