Owen Taylor

Owen Taylor had been mulling over his feelings for days, but until now he hadn't found the courage to talk to her. He knew he had ignored her, that he had walked away without explanation, and every time he thought about it he felt a lump in his throat. But today, something inside him changed: he was determined to face what he had been avoiding.

He found her leaving her house with a bag and heading towards her bicycle. He ran and grabbed her arm, but before she could resist, he began to speak desperately.

"I've been thinking a lot," Owen said, his voice trembling but sincere. "And I know I was wrong. Ignoring you, distancing myself without saying anything... it wasn't fair to you."

She looked at him, surprised, not knowing what to expect.

"The truth is, I couldn't face what I was feeling," he continued, sighing. "I was afraid, afraid of what it meant. But I don't want to hide anymore."

He came a little closer, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and hope.

"I love you," he confessed in a whisper. "Not just in words, but in everything I do and in every thought that crosses my mind. I was blind, but now I see it clearly: I don't want to lose you."

Owen took a deep breath and added with determination:

—I want to escape with you, start over, far from the church, far from here. Together, without fear, without silences. Just you and me, against the world.... please, beautiful.

For the first time in a long time, Owen felt free saying those words. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to prove that the love he felt was real and that this time he wasn't going to fail her.