"You want the real reason? Fine." My voice comes out destroyed. "I'm not doing this because Rodriguez told me to. I'm doing it because she's right. Being with me is dangerous. Always has been. I've spent fifteen years making sure no one gets close enough to find out how dangerous."
"Diesel—"
"The last person who loved me burned to death for it." The words rip out. "They set fire to his house because he took in an orc. Because he cared about the wrong thing. And I had to identify what was left."
Something shifts in her face. Not shock—she already knows this story. I told her in the bathtub, in the dark, when I thought we had time.
Recognition. And then fury.
"So yeah. I'm scared. Fucking terrified. Not of the trial. Of what happens when the world finds out you chose me. How they'll make you pay for it." I force the breath out. "You're the strongest woman I've ever met. But you can't survive me. No one can."
"So this isn't about the DA," Eden says slowly. "This is about you."
"It's about what's best for you."
She laughs. The sound is sharp enough to cut.
"No. That's just the lie you're telling yourself so you don't get hurt again."
I have no defense. She knows it. I can see the moment she realizes I'm not going to deny it.
I stay silent.
"If you felt this way, why did you sleep with me?"
"Because I'm selfish."
She stares at me. Those green eyes I've been trying not to want since day one.
"You're wrong," she finally says. "About all of it."
"Maybe."
"Not maybe. You are." She steps back. Pulls herself together. "And someday you're going to realize just how wrong you are."
"Go win your trial. Go be brave. Go prove you're the strongest woman I've ever known."
"And then what? I just forget you exist?"
"If that's what it takes."
A tear slips down her cheek. She doesn't wipe it away.
"I could have loved you. I think I already do."
Everything stops—my heart, my breath, the whole goddamn world.
"I know." My voice cracks. I let it. Can't hide this one. "That's why I have to let you go."
She holds my gaze for one more second. I see all of it—fury, grief, love she's not hiding anymore.
Then she turns to Maya.
"I'm ready."
Maya nods. Puts an arm around her. Guides her toward the door.
"Wait."
