Nicole stood in front of the ruins of her home, her heart sinking as she took in the devastation. The place where she had fought to survive, where she had clung to hope despite everything, was now nothing more than rubble. Her chest tightened as the overwhelming sense of loss hit her, and tears began to fall. She wept openly, her body trembling with the weight of her emotions. This was all she had left of her life before everything spiraled out of control, and now even that was gone.
Jasper stood beside her, watching her tears fall, a sharp pang of guilt surging through him. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she wept against his chest. His embrace was firm but soothing, and for a moment, Nicole allowed herself to sink into the comfort of his touch, feeling the raw emotion slowly fade away. Jasper's presence made it easier to breathe, his strong arms a reminder that she wasn't alone.
