Kai’s eyes narrow slightly, and something flickers behind his eyes—just for a second.
Something that crackles like a spark.
And then, just as quickly, it’s gone.
He studies me in that infuriating way of his, like he’s pulling apart my words and analysing each one.
“Fell over what exactly?” he presses, staring at me like he doesn’t know what to make of me. Honestly, I’m not sure what to make of me either.
Screaming at him and just running away like an absolute fool crosses my mind. It’s a thought I end up discarding because… well—where exactly am I planning on running to like this?
I bite my lip, forcing myself to stay composed. “The stairs,” I mutter through gritted teeth.
His eyebrows lift slightly. It’s not much, but it’s enough to spark my temper. He doesn’t believe me. Of course he doesn’t.
“The stairs,” he repeats, his tone dry. His lips twitch, but it’s not a smile. “You must be incredibly graceful to manage that.”
I glare at him, my anger simmering just beneath the surface at his audacity. He meets my gaze without flinching, without blinking. It’s a standoff, and one neither of us is willing to break.
“Now what aren’t you telling me?” His voice is softer this time, but the edge is still there, like a knife he’s keeping just out of sight.
I stare at him, my jaw tightening, and for a second, the temptation to spill everything takes over.
I want to shove the truth in his face, to make him see it all—every bruise, every scar, every moment of suffocating fear. I want to see his reaction, make him eat his own words.
But I don’t. I won’t.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I say quietly, my voice cold and flat.
His eyes move down again—to the bruises, the stiffness, the way I won’t meet his gaze—and for a second, the muscles in his jaw tighten. It’s subtle, but I catch it. And just like that the intensity in his gaze dims, just slightly.
He’s letting me go, I realize.
“Right,” he says, almost too softly.
So softly I almost think I misheard him.
I move before he can change his mind, brushing past him and forcing my legs to carry me forward.
His eyes stay on me—I can feel them burning into my back, but I don’t look back.
I don’t dare.
Kai
Does she seriously think I’ll believe she just fell down the stairs? Does she think I’m that ignorant?
It’s almost insulting, really.
As if I don’t know what a lie looks like.
But I let her have the lie. Let her sit with it. Drape it around herself like a cardigan with holes in it. Because honestly, what’s the point in confronting someone who’s already unravelling?
No, it’s far more entertaining to let her wonder if I’ve noticed.
Let her squirm.
I drag my gaze over her again. She’s leaning against the lockers like they’re the only thing holding her up, like her body might give out if she moves too fast. Her hair’s a mess, her eyes a duller shade than usual and shadowed with exhaustion.
