Carter's POV
She didn’t speak much the next morning.
Not in that quiet, simmering kind of way like before.
This was different.
Still. But not peaceful.
Like she was caught between staying and running, and hadn’t decided which one hurt less yet.
She moved slower than usual. Didn’t meet my eyes unless she had to. And when she did, it was quick,like the moment might swallow her whole if she lingered too long.
But she didn’t run.
Not yet.
I clung to that.
The fire was low. The cabin colder than it had been in days. But neither of us mentioned it. She was wrapped in two blankets, her hair pulled into a loose braid, her ankle still elevated on a pillow. Her hand kept drifting to her stomach like she didn’t even realize it. Like she needed to remind herself she was still here.
And I w
