CHAPTER THIRTY THREECassian’s povBack at the house, the afternoon unfolded in pieces. Bryce came downstairs for soup. He asked Lena about a book she was reading. He asked me about a game on TV. Normal questions. Brave ones.Later, when Lena disappeared upstairs to shower, Bryce sat across from me, studying his hands.“You okay?” I asked.He nodded. “Yeah.”A pause.“Listen,” he said, not meeting my eyes, “I meant what I said. I’m not standing in the way.”“I know.”“But don’t make me regret it,” he added quietly.I met his gaze. “I won’t.”That was the truth. Not because I needed his approval but because I understood the cost of being trusted when you didn’t deserve it yet.Evening came early.Lena joined me on the couch as the light faded, her legs tucked under her, shoulder resting against mine. We didn’t hide. We didn’t perform.We existed.Her mother passed by, paused, then kept going.The house breathed.When the night deepened and the world went quiet again, Lena stood and too
Última atualização : 2026-01-30 Ler mais