Bailey’s POV
“He didn’t come back with you,” I asked as soon as Declan stepped into the room, my voice already knowing the answer before my head could catch up.
Declan closed the door quietly behind him and avoided my eyes. “He needed a moment.”
I laughed, short and empty, and shook my head. “No he didn’t. He made a choice.”
Raven shifted closer to me on the bed but did not touch me, his voice low. “Bailey.”
“Don’t,” I snapped, then immediately felt bad and pressed my palms into my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired of pretending I don’t see things for what they are.”
Declan sat at the foot of the bed. “He cares in his own twisted way.”
“That’s not care,” I said, my throat tight. “That’s control.”
No one argued with me.
My eyes drifted to the box again, sitting where they had moved
