His voice dropped so low I almost didn't catch it.
"You… you want me gone?"
The question didn't sound like Zain. There was no command in it. No dominance. No control.
Just… hurt.
My chest tightened.
"What? No—"
"Because that's what this feels like, Violet," he cut in, a hollow edge slipping into his tone. His hand fell away from me, like even touching me suddenly felt uncertain. "You leave. You hide from me. You mask our bond. And now you're standing here telling me you did it for everyone else."
His jaw clenched, eyes darkening, with rage this time, but heavier.
"Where exactly do I fit in that?"
The words hit harder than his anger ever could. "You fit everywhere," I said, stepping closer despite the tension still crackling between us. "You just don't see what I see."
"And what is that?" he asked, voice sharpening again, but it lacked heat. It was defensive now. Guarded.
