(Avery)
I stayed in Jackson's arms for what felt like hours, but I knew it was only minutes. His warmth made me feel safe in a way I had not felt in so long. The orphanage taught me not to trust easily, but with Jackson it felt natural. He did not push me to talk more or ask questions that made me uneasy. He just held me and let me rest.
When I sat up, I looked at his face. His eyes were full of concern, but not pity. That meant everything to me. I had seen pity before, and I hated it. Jackson never looked at me like I was broken. He looked at me like I mattered.
"Are you okay?" he asked, brushing a piece of hair from my face.
I nodded. "Better now."
And I was. Talking about the orphanage had been hard, but it also felt like I was not carrying it alone anymore. I had held those memori
