Forty- five

Alex

My heart burned with a passionate fire as Martha's words pierced through me like a bolt of lightning. All I yearned for was to whisk her away in that very moment, to protect her from the world and make her mine. But I knew the complexities of our situation held me back, like invisible chains that bound my every move.

In the depths of my being, I've come to realize that Martha is my true love, the one who ignites a flame within me like no other. It pains me to know that I can't offer her everything she deserves. This world isn't mine to claim, for I am a fugitive on the run, and risking it all would mean losing everything we hold dear.

As she wept in my embrace, I tenderly caressed her hair and whispered words of love into her ear. My heart shattered because I couldn't promise her a life of safety and security, nor could I prove my ability to shield her from harm. The weight of my helplessness pressed upon me like a heavy burden.

At that moment, I nearly abandoned all reason and as