And I hate it.
I tighten my grip on my stick, anchoring myself.
If she won’t tell me what’s wrong—
I’ll figure it out myself.
If someone is hurting her—
I’ll end it quietly.
If she trusts Finn before she trusts me—
fine.
But she will be safe.
I’ll make damn sure of it.
No matter what it takes.
Chapter 25: Atlas
I’m not proud of howearly I woke up.
Or how long I sat in my truck staring at the roster spreadsheet on my phone.
Or how many times I checked the building number against Google Maps before driving across town.
I told myself it was harmless — bringing Wren coffee.
A “sorry I scared you yesterday” gesture.
A “thanks for not yelling at me for being an idiot on the ice” gesture.
A “please don’t look at me like you’re afraid of me again” gesture.
