The drive seemed to take forever, but finally, Julian saw the familiar sign welcoming him back to Shadowmere. The town looked different this time, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. It felt more vibrant, more alive than before, as if the breaking of the curse had breathed new life into its very soul.
He drove straight to Sabrina's house, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The ancient willows stood as silent sentinels, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. He parked the car and took a deep breath before walking up to the door.
Sabrina answered his knock, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw him. For a moment, she just stared at him, speechless. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, and she reached out to touch his cheek.
"Julian," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy. "You came back."