20-
I’m wrapped in Caden’s hoodie and sitting in Mum’s armchair in my living room like I’m five again, shaking, dazed, and absolutely exhausted. My skin still feels too tight. My heart, too full.
He’s next to me, knees spread, elbows on his thighs, hands hanging loose—but his fingers keep twitching toward mine, like he doesn’t know how not to touch me now.
Across from us, Mum sits on the coffee table, her face pale. Dad leans against the fireplace with his arms crossed, his jaw ticking. And May paces in front of the window like she might punch something just to feel normal again.
No one says anything.
Not until Caden breaks the silence.
“What the hell just happened to us?”
His voice is low. Hoarse. Almost… ashamed.
Mum looks up, eyes glassy but calm. “Your bond flared. Overloaded.”
