Her question hung in the air, and when Jamie didn’t immediately respond, Claire’s spirits sank. She collapsed onto a nearby rock, her shoulders slumping as she covered her face with her hands. In the depths of her despair, she expected Jamie to have left her, overwhelmed by the weight of her revelations. Yet, to her surprise, he remained seated, his hands braced on his knees, his head bowed in deep contemplation. The stillness of the moment allowed them both to gather their thoughts, unsure of what the future held for their relationship.