KAEL
One of these days, I would make her see the strength that already lived inside her. She carried it without knowing. She endured more than most ever could, yet she still looked at herself as if she were the fragile one.
My forehead rested against hers. A slow breath left my chest as I pulled her closer. Holding her like that steadied something inside me. It pushed back the dark weight that had settled there.
That weight had not left since the moment she threw herself into danger for me. Since the second I saw her fall and truly believed she was gone.
That memory still felt sharp. Too sharp.
The thought of losing her again tightened my chest. Letting her go now felt impossible. Unthinkable.
My hand moved to her belly and stayed there, feeling the warmth beneath my palm. “There i
