I lower my tone.“Wren.”
She closes her eyes—just for a second—and that alone tells me everything I need to know.
Something happened.
Something big.
Something she’s trying not to crumble under.
Her breath stutters on the exhale.
I lift a hand—slowly—giving her time to stop me.
She doesn’t.
My fingers brush her chin, tilting her face up just enough for me to see her eyes.
Fear lives there.
Real fear.
My blood goes cold.
“Tell me,” I whisper.
Her lashes tremble.“I can’t.”
“You can.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“You should.”
She swallows hard.“It’s my mess.My past.Not yours.”
I lean in, my forehead almost touching hers.“If it touches my team, it becomes my business.”
Her breath catches.“And if it only touches me?”
My voice drops dangerously low.
“Especially then.”
For a moment—just a moment—she looks like she might say something real.
Then she pulls back, breaking the contact.“Kael...please.Let it go.”
Let it go.
I can’t.
I won’t.
But pushing harder right now will only make her close off more.
I step back, but only enough to give her space.Not distance.
Never distance.
