Once Upon an Achingly Beautiful Kiss: Juliet's story

He loved her too—and left believing she deserved better. Christopher Hurst, Earl of Lockhart, walked away from England—and Juliet—hoping distance would dull what he couldn't say aloud. He feared she saw him only as a friend, and he couldn't bear the risk of being found wanting. But now, summoned home by Grandma Edie, he returns with a heart still full of her.

They both loved. They both feared. And now—perhaps—they can hope. As Juliet and Christopher cross paths once more, the past resurfaces in gentle glances and cautious conversation. And in the quiet between them, love waits—not in grand declarations, but in small, brave moments. Because sometimes the only way forward is to speak the words you once swallowed... and see what’s still possible.

If you’ve walked through heartbreak and still believe in joy, even quietly, this story is here to walk beside you.