THANE’S POV:
Something was off.
Blabbermouth wasn’t herself today.
No snide comments. No unsolicited life lectures. No annoying playlists either.
Just silence. Wobbling silence.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say I broke her already—and it was only the second day.
She nodded at everything I said. Didn’t protest once when I bailed on a stretch. Didn’t even roll her eyes when I made that sarcastic remark about her weird breathing techniques.
Her usual comebacks were reduced to quiet "yes" and "okay" responses that felt wrong, like watching a tiger purr instead of roar.
I should’ve been thrilled.
But it didn’t sit right.
She was barely holding it together—her posture sagged, and her eyes were ringed with deep shadows that looked painted on. Black circles, like bruises under her skin.
