AMARIS' POV Theron shot to his feet, yanking his hands from mine as if my touch had seared his skin. His eyes widened, his face draining of color as he stared at me. Silence clung to the room for a heartbeat too long, then a bitter, hollow laugh tore from his throat. He dragged his fingers through his hair and turned toward one of the tall, floor-length windows. “You... don’t believe me,” I said softly, the words tasting like betrayal. Saying them out loud only deepened the ache already gnawing at my chest. “I need more,” he said at last, his voice hoarse. “Details. Anything. What was he wearing? How did he sound? His voice anything.” A tear slipped down my cheek. “It was dark... I couldn’t see much. He blindfolded me, and when I ripped it off, all I could think about was getting away.

