When they finally lay side by side, silence filled the room—dense, electric, heavier than air. Every rustle of fabric, every uneven breath made Kai acutely aware of her presence, of how close she was yet still out of reach.
He reached over, adjusting her pillow. His hand brushed against hers, and before he could stop himself, the words slipped out. "I forgot to mention… you look incredible in those pajamas."
Her face flamed crimson, and she ducked beneath the sheets like a child hiding from the world. His lips curved despite himself. She was flustered—but so was he.
Then she shifted too suddenly, nearly tumbling off the edge. Instinct overpowered restraint. His arms caught her, pulling her firmly against him. For a heartbeat, maybe two, she was pressed to his chest, her pulse racing against his own. He should have let go. He didn't.
"Are you okay?" His voice was low, rougher than he intended.
"Yes," she whispered, her wide eyes locked on his, her lips dangerously close.
The space between them was a breath, a thought, a temptation. He told himself to move, to break the spell—but instead he lingered, memorizing the fragile beauty of her face in the dim light.
"Then stop sleeping so far away from me," he teased, hiding the ache beneath a smile. "You're hurting my feelings."
Her gaze didn't waver. "Okay."
That single word undid him.
He forced himself to release her, gently tucking the pillow beneath her head, retreating to the line he'd sworn not to cross. But as he lay there, watching her feign sleep, his resolve splintered.
Because no matter how desperately he tried to hold onto the lie that she was still the little sister from his memories…
Every glance, every breath, every trembling heartbeat screamed the truth.
Hana wasn't a child anymore.
And he wasn't sure how much longer he could pretend he didn't see her.