Chapter Thirty: If You’re Whole Now, Is There Still Space for the Piece of Me That Waited?

He waited until Nova left.

Until the lights dimmed.

Until Eden was sitting in the vault, head bowed slightly, hands steady but open like even now, with everything whole inside her…

She was still learning how to be held by her own peace.

He stepped into the doorway.

Didn’t speak.

She didn’t turn.

But she said:

“I can hear the part of me that used to flinch when you were near.”

“She’s quiet now.”

Cassian stepped closer.

“I never needed her to flinch.”

Eden looked up.

“You’re not afraid of what I’ve become?”

“No,” he said softly. “I’m afraid you’ll think you have to carry it alone.”

A silence passed between them.

Then he said:

“Is there space in this version of you…

for the part of me that never stopped believing in the first one?”

Eden rose.

Crossed the room.

And instead of answering with theory

She reached out.

Took his hand.

And said:

“There’s not just space.”

“There’s a place.”

He didn’t knock.

Didn’t speak when he entered the vault.

Eden was already there hands clasped behind h