As twilight descended upon Magnus Cove, I felt the weight of our fleeting escape settle in. My phone glowed like a tiny moon in the fading light—5:48 P.M. stared back, along with eight missed calls from Mom. Each one pulsed like a warning beacon. Guilt prickled at the edges of my peace. Rhys’s soft smile, illuminated by the kaleidoscope sky of pinks and purples, beckoned me to stay. But reality tugged gently, reminding me of the world beyond our hilltop haven.
“I think we should head back now,” I said, reluctant to break the spell.
Rhys nodded slowly, his smile warm and understanding. “Sure.”
As we turned to leave, Magnus Cove shimmered in its evening glow. Shadows stretched like velvet ribbons. Stars began their twinkling waltz overhead. Rhys’s presence beside me was a quiet comfort—a
