I didn’t move for a long time after Damon left. The sound of the door slamming echoed in my mind like a warning I couldn’t shake. My chest ached, torn between the weight of his words and the pull of Caden’s steady presence.
“You don’t have to let him get in your head,” Caden said softly, his voice low and soothing.
I turned to him, searching his face for something—anything—that might betray Damon’s accusations. But Caden just stood there, calm and composed, his dark eyes steady on mine like he had nothing to hide.
“I don’t know what to think,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “This whole thing… it doesn’t make sense.”
Caden stepped closer, his hands brushing mine. “It doesn’t have to make sense, Evangeline. Sometimes people say things out of fear. Damon doesn’t understand us.” His voice
