The sun rose with a quiet sadness the next day.
The house was still being cleaned up. Zane had been taken to an undisclosed location by Kyler's men, and I hadn't asked where. I didn't want to know.
Not yet.
Kyler hadn't left my side since.
He sat across from me now, nursing a glass of something dark. I hadn't spoken much since the night before. Neither had he.
Until he finally said—
"Ash."
Just my name.
But the way he said it…
Like it was the only word that ever mattered.
"I need to tell you something."
My chest tightened. "Okay."
He set the glass down. Leaned forward.
"I didn't want this life. I was born into it. And for years, I promised myself I wouldn't bring anyone into it who didn't belong."
I swallowed. "But I don't belong in it, do I?"
He met my eyes. "You don't. And that's why you matter more than anyone else ever has."
My throat burned. "Kyler…"
"I've watched you survive things no one should. I've seen you stand up for the people who broke you. I've seen you cry in silence, and still walk into the fire."
He leaned closer. "I don't care that you had a past with Zane. I care that you chose me in the middle of hell."
Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.
"You shouldn't say things like that," I whispered.
"Why?"
"Because I'll believe you."
He reached out, cupping my face in both hands.
"Believe this, then," he whispered. "I'm in love with you, Ash. I've been falling since the first night you stood between me and your father."
My heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
Not because I didn't love him.
But because… I did.
More than I ever wanted to.
"But I'm still broken," I whispered. "Still scared. Still learning."
He smiled, the saddest smile I'd ever seen.
"Then let's learn together."
I fell into his arms, sobbing. Not because I was hurt—but because someone finally stayed.
He held me.
Like he would never let go.