“I heard you,” I whisper.
That gets his attention.
His eyes sharpen. “When?”
“Before,” I say. “When I couldn’t wake up.”
His grip tightens instantly.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
A faint smile touches my lips.
“I’m glad I did.”
Something shifts in him again.
Deeper this time.
More dangerous.
“Olivia…”
I don’t let him pull back.
I don’t let him hide behind whatever wall he’s trying to rebuild.
“Say it again,” I whisper.
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
His eyes lock onto mine.
Every wall.
Every defense.
Every line he shouldn’t cross—
Right there between us.
And then—
“I’m not losing you,” he says.
Not the same words.
But somehow—
Even stronger.
My chest tightens.
My breath catches.
