(A Week Later)
"Rhett, wake up." Neva whispers into his ear. When he doesn't respond, she lightly pinches his cheeks.
"Rhett, wake up," she repeats, pouting. "It's snowing." Still no movement. With a huff, she peels the quilt off him and gives him a firmer shake.
Suddenly, Rhett pulls her down with a laugh, bowling her over, their chests colliding.
Startled, Neva finds herself face-to-face with her cheesily grinning boyfriend.
She plants a kiss on his lips, her smile blooming as she listens to the jagged thump of his heart. Rhett wraps his arms around her, fingers gently brushing, flowing through her hair.
"It's the first snow," she murmurs into his neck.
Rhett kisses her soft, wavy hair. "Stay a little longer," he whispers. Neva only hums, savoring the moment.
After another thirty minutes of cuddling, she finally drags him out of bed.
Outside their cozy apartment building—home to only a few tenants—Neva steps into the falling snow.
Rhett watches her eyes light up, her joy thawing the cold inside him.
As flakes fall around her, his eyes mellows, and he realizes—he's losing himself, falling for her harder, deeper than ever.
Then bowing like a prince, he extends his hand. "May I have the honor of dancing with my love?"
Neva blushes, her rosy cheeks glowing. Without a word, she places her hand in his. He smiles wider.
Giggling, the lovers twirl and sway, their silhouettes dancing in the soft, ivory snowdrift. Time slips away as they play, laugh, and bask in their winter wonderland.
Eventually, Rhett carries her back inside, worried she might catch a cold.
---
After washing up, Rhett finds Neva in the kitchen, humming as she chops vegetables.
Her damp hair is wrapped in a towel. With quiet steps, he sneaks up and wraps his arms around her waist.
Startled, she relaxes into his touch. "I'm not done cooking, Rhett," she says, turning to glance at him, lightly rubbing her nose against his, making him chuckle.
"You can sit over there," she adds, gesturing to the dining table.
"I don't like being apart from you," he replies, planting a kiss on her nape.
"It tickles!" Neva laughs, bending forward as he giggles behind her.
"Angel," Rhett begins, voice softer now. "I need to tell you something."
Neva continues chopping. "What is it?"
"Remember, I said that day in the woods… that I've kept things from you?"
She stirs the pot. "I figured you'd tell me eventually. There's no pressure, Rhett. Take your time."
He sighs. "I'm not who you think I am."
Neva freezes, brow furrowed.
She turns off the stove. "What do you mean?"
Turning her around gently, he takes her hands. "I'm an agent. For EIS."
Neva blinks. "What?" Her face falls.
"Are you serious? Is this some kind of prank?"
"It's not," he replies quietly. "I'd never joke about this."
"You said you owned that car workshop—how?" Neva trails off, frowning.
"I do. It's... mostly a cover." Rhett says, slowly, carefully.
Neva stares at him, trying not to feel deceived.
Her silence louder than words.
"There's another assignment. I'll be gone a week. Maybe more."
Though he'd sent Ace back and probably angered Elk, Rhett knows he can't ignore his duty forever.
Neva sighs, walking to the couch. He follows closely.
Unwrapping the towel from her hair, she tosses it aside and sits. "It's a lot to take in."
Rhett kneels before her. "I knew I'd tell you eventually. I'm sorry. Please, forgive me."
"You're brutal," she murmurs, her eyes glossy.
"If I'd told you sooner... would it have changed anything?"
"I don't know," she admits. "But your job... it's dangerous, right?"
He hesitates, then nods. "Sometimes."
"You're so cruel, Rhett." Her voice cracks.
She bites her lip, eyes dimming with dread. The thought of him risking his life—it eats at her.
Has he killed people? It makes her heart even heavier. She doesn't want to know.
"I'm sorry. But I promise, it won't hurt us. You don't need to worry."
"For how long have you been an agent?"
"Five years," he says.
"I never went to college. My father was one too. I guess I followed in his footsteps."
"Got a kick out of it," he adds with a weak smile.
She doesn't return it.
"You're not leaving me, are you?" he panics, voice trembling.
He pulls her close. "Please... don't leave me."
When she doesn't push him away, he tightens his hold, breathing her in.
Her presence is his calm—his anchor.
He surprises even himself with the thought: maybe he could quit the job. Focus on the workshop.
If possible, he wants stay this way forever, spend more time with her.
A lone tear escapes Neva's eye, falling onto his arm. She doesn't even know what to think anymore.
"When are you leaving?" she asks.
"In two days," he replies, barely above a whisper.
"Just don't leave me widowed, Rhett," she says, voice breaking. "Always come back safe."
He lets out a relieved chuckle. "You'll always find me back home, Angel. Safe in your arms."
"I want our beautiful future," he whispers.
"Can you make it to Christmas?"
"I think so," he says. "I promise."
"You don't have to promise." Neva chuckles softly. "I'll pray for you."
Rhett pulls back, stunned. "You'll pray for me?"
She nods. "Of course. That's the greatest, and only thing I can truly do for you."
Rhett stares at her, heart swelling. No weapon could be stronger than what she'd just given him.
Neva—his greatest strength. His reminder that love, faith, and hope are not things of fiction. And maybe... just maybe, there really is a divine hand in all of this.