Iris' tears were like delicate steams tracing the contours of her cheeks. Theo, witnessing her vulnerability, felt a deep ache in his heart. He leaned in and gently kissed away her tears. "Come back to France with me, okay? Let me take care of you." He whispered, his voice a soft plea with concern.
Iris, however, was not swayed by the comfort he offered. She shook her head, "I'm at a critical stage with my work here. I need to keep going a little longer." She insisted, her voice a mixture of determination. Iris had invested so much of herself into her job, facing down a blizzard without flinching to ensure her work wasn't delayed. The thought of abandoning her efforts now was unthinkable.
Theo's response was immediate and decisive. "Then I'll stay here with you," he declared, his words cutting through the uncertainty like a beacon of solidarity.
A moment of silence hung between them, then it suddenly occurred to Iris about Theo's recent injury.
