The water carries away all evidence, and her hand keeps hold of him as long as she can, still listening to him, learning when to back off. Her hands wind around his neck, and she cleaves to him, brushing his hair back from his face, smiling with shared relief.

She doesn't know if it feels like the beginning she was hoping for, but it's something powerful. He trusts her, and even if he hasn't found it in him to forgive her yet, she'll take it. She'll take it and hold onto it like her very life depends on it.