The silence inside the house wasn’t peaceful.....it was full. Heavy with things left unsaid, with footsteps that paused too long, glances that lingered a little more.

Kael sat by the window, watching the street like danger could walk up at any second.

Liana walked in quietly, a blanket in one hand, a glass of water in the other.

“You’ve been up for hours,” she said. “You need sleep.”

He didn’t look away. “Can’t afford to.”

She hesitated. Then tossed the blanket at him. “Fine. Then at least don’t freeze to death while you play bodyguard.”

Kael caught it, his hand brushing hers. That brief touch sparked something......quiet, but real.

He looked at her. “You’re handling this better than I expected.”

Liana sat across from him, curling her legs under her.

“You mean not falling apart?”

He nodded.

She gave a small smile, tired but honest. “I did that already. Years ago. This… this is just survival.”

He studied her, something softening in his eyes.

“You’re more than that.”

She didn’t respond at first. Then, “So are you. But you walk around like you’re not allowed to be.”

The words hit deeper than she expected.

Kael looked away, jaw clenched. “You don’t know what I’ve done.”

“I don’t need to,” she said quietly. “You’re here now.”

That silence stretched between them again...but this time, it felt different. It felt like a choice.

Kael finally said, “If you ever want to run, I’ll get you out. No questions. No judgment.”

Liana blinked ... caught off guard.

And then...for the first time in front of him she smiled. A real one. No mask. No edge. Just her.

He nodded. Slowly.

Then she leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes on the ceiling.

“You should sleep. I’ll keep watch for a while.”

Kael looked at her for a long moment.

And for once he listened.

He laid down, just a few feet away. Not close. Not touching. But the space between them felt like something had shifted.

Not just survival anymore.