Annie sighed deeply, her chest heavy with the weight of the decision she was about to make. She closed her eyes, shutting out the world for a moment, trying to gather the strength she knew she needed. She had always known that this day might come and that her carefully constructed walls would crumble.
When she opened her eyes, Damien's intense gaze met hers, full of hope, anticipation, and something else—something that made her heart ache. She could see the urgency in his eyes, the desperation for her to say the words he wanted to hear.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" She said quietly, more to herself than to him.
Damien's expression softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers, warm and reassuring. "It's the right thing to do, Annie. For you, for Ryan... for all of us."
"Okay," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll do it."
