"…me."
The word settled quietly between them.
Aria stared at Kael.
"You broke time?"
Kael didn't look away.
"Yes."
The frozen city stood around them.
Silent.
Still.
"Why?"
Her voice was softer now.
Not angry.
Just confused.
Kael hesitated.
For the first time since she met him.
His hand slowly moved to his coat.
Touching the pocket watch beneath the fabric.
"Because," he said quietly,
"I couldn't let you disappear."
Aria blinked.
The wind brushed past them.
But everything else stayed frozen.
"You don't even know me."
Kael stepped closer.
One step.
Then another.
Now only a small space separated them.
"I do."
Aria's heart beat faster.
"How?"
Kael's eyes softened.
"I've been watching you."
The words should have sounded strange.
But the way he said them didn't feel wrong.
"I've seen you feed the stray cat behind the bookstore."
Aria froze.
"I've seen you sit on that bench every Sunday."
Her breath slowed.
"Reading the same book."
Kael's voice was gentle now.
"You always stop at page seventy-three."
Aria whispered,
"…how do you know that?"
Kael lifted his hand slowly.
Carefully.
As if afraid the moment might break.
His fingers brushed a loose strand of her silver hair away from her face.
Soft.
Careful.
Like something fragile.
"Because," he said quietly,
"I've watched you live the same day
more than a hundred times."
Aria's eyes widened.
"But yesterday was the only time you died."