Ben had not always believed what he said now.
Time, and watching other people stumble through their relationships, had worn the sentiment out of him.
He felt like he finally saw things clearly.
"People fall in love, they live together, and eventually they get used to each other," he said.
"That spark fades.
That fire gets dull.
But that's not a failure, it's just nature.
What matters in the end isn't the feeling.
It's the commitment."
He exhaled slowly.
"You stick together.
Even when it's hard.
Even when the feelings shift.
That's what counts."
Elvira walked beside him in silence.
He could tell she wanted to say something, but before she could, he turned to her.
"So… if you regressed again, would our bond still exist?"
Elvira's steps slowed.
Her voice came out softer and more thoughtful.
"No one knows for sure.
But if I had to guess… no.
It wouldn't."
Ben stopped walking.
"I see."
"But," she added gently, "as I told you, I cannot regress anymore."
