People hurried past us with rolling suitcases and anxious expressions, but in that moment, the world felt as though it had narrowed to just the two of us.

Daniel pulled me into his arms so tightly I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek.

“Hey… it’s okay,” he murmured, brushing his hand gently through my hair. “It’s only two years in London. This is for us. The promotion is huge, Emma. We’ll save so much money. When I come back, we’ll finally have everything we’ve dreamed of.”

I clung to him as if I might break.

“I’m going to miss you,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Call me every day. Don’t forget about me over there.”

He tilted my chin up and kissed my forehead. “Never. I love you. You’re my home. Just hold things together here until I’m back.”

I nodded, tears slipping freely down my face.

I watched him walk toward security, his shoulders squared, his carry-on swinging slightly at his side. Just before disappearing into the crowd, he turned and waved one last time.

I waved back, crying openly.

But the second he vanished from sight, my tears stopped.

Completely.