Sheets of water slammed against the cliffside, wind howling like it had teeth. Liana stood at the window, arms folded, watching the sea try to climb the rocks.

She liked storms. They were loud enough to drown out her thoughts.

Until she heard the knock.

Not the rain.

A real knock.

On her door.

She opened it, already scowling—then froze.

Kael stood there, soaked to the bone, hoodie plastered to his skin, hair dripping into his eyes. He didn’t say anything. Just looked at her.

“I’m fine,” he said quietly. “I’ll find somewhere else.”

He turned before she could answer, but—

“Wait.”

The word came out before she could stop it. Before her pride could claw it back.

She hated the way his shoulders paused. How he turned, not surprised—just… waiting.

“You’ll freeze out there,” she muttered. “Just… don’t touch anything.”

He stepped inside.

The house was quiet except for the storm. Liana lit a few candles—power was out again. He stayed near the door like he didn’t belong, dripping onto the floorboards.

She tossed him a towel. “You smell like the sea.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She didn’t smile. But something in her eyes almost did.

They sat in silence for a while—her on the worn-out couch, him near the fireplace she never lit. The storm raged outside.

Inside, it was worse.

Because for the first time in years, Liana wasn’t alone.

And it terrified her more than the sea ever could.