"Kai."
I interrupted him, my voice carrying years of accumulated pain.
"You know my past. You know what I went through."
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I do." He nodded without hesitation. "Every humiliation, every betrayal, every moment you suffered."
His jaw tightened as he continued. "But so what?"
"You think your scars make you damaged? You think being thrown away makes you worthless?"
The intensity in his voice made my breath catch.
"You're wrong, Aria. Dead wrong."
"You deserve to be truly cherished, and I—" His voice cracked with emotion. "I'm willing to be that person."
"Others didn't treasure you, but I absolutely will."
I felt my carefully constructed walls beginning to crumble.
The banquet hall's noise seemed to fade away in that moment, leaving only his breathing echoing in my ears.
My heart hammered against my ribs as old fears surfaced.
"Kai, you don't understand." My voice came out smaller than I intended. "I'm not sure I can trust love anymore."
"I'm n
