Makayla’s breath hitched.
She wasn’t imagining it.
She couldn’t be imagining it.
Mikhail had blinked.
It had been small—so small—but it had been there.
A flicker of something beneath the surface.
Something real.
Something him.
Her pulse pounded.
She had to keep going.
Had to pull him out.
Makayla swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay steady.
“You hated silence.”
Mikhail didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
But she swore—
That flicker was still there.
Makayla clenched her fists.
“You hated when I ignored you.”
Her voice wavered, but she kept going.
“You used to—” Her throat tightened. “You used to say it made you feel invisible.”
Mikhail blinked again.
Makayla’s breath caught.
It was working.
It had to be working.
She leaned in slightly, fingers curling against the cold s
