With tightened lips, Jackson approached Serenity step by step, his dark eyes fixed on her.

She didn't look away. She faced him straight on.

After a while, he raised his hands and embraced her. "Serenity, I'll believe you one more time. Just this once."

He chose to believe that she would keep her vow.

Or maybe... rather than saying that he believed her, it's more precise to say that he wanted to believe her; he wanted it to be true!

Serenity leaned into Jackson's arms, taking in his familiar