The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I saw Ava standing beside the counter with her hand pressed against her arm.
The kettle lay on its side.
Hot water covered part of the counter and floor.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then I crossed the distance between us.
"What happened?"
She looked up.
"It was an accident."
"No kidding."
I grabbed her wrist before she could pull away.
The skin on her forearm was already turning red.
"Ava."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
She immediately tried to pull her hand back.
I tightened my grip without thinking.
The movement made her wince.
Something unpleasant twisted in my chest.
I let go immediately.
My jaw tightened.
So annoying.
Why was I reacting like this?
It was a burn.
A minor one.
People got hurt every day.
Yet somehow I
