"Are you alright?" Roman asked, watching Julie as she sat at the edge of the bed, her shoulders hunched and her gaze distant.
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, bobbing her leg up and down restlessly.
Though she said she was fine, Roman didn't buy it. Something in her eyes told a different story. He moved closer without saying another word.
Gently, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands finding her waist with practiced care.
She tensed for a moment, still not entirely used to the tenderness he sometimes showed—but she didn't pull away.
Julie shifted slightly, her body language uncertain. She was slowly warming up to Roman, but the closeness, the affection, the way he held her like she was precious… it was still something she was learning to accept.
"Come on," Roman said, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. "Tell me what's bothering you."
"You really want to know?" she asked, turning her head slightly to look at him.
