The fire was low. The cabin smelled like pine and warm wood.
Thorne stood near her, hands in his pockets, shoulders loose. He didn't push. He just waited.
Caroline stayed by the window, staring at the snow like it had answers.
The silence kept growing.
She turned around. Her throat felt tight. “You asked me something big."
“I know."
She took a slow breath. “I don't want to lie to you."
“Then don't," Thorne said, calm.
Caroline's fingers curled around the edge of the curtain. “During this trip… I thought about leaving the city."
Thorne went still. Surprise flashed in his eyes before he smoothed it away.
“Not as a plan," Caroline rushed on. “Just a thought. It came up when things felt quiet for once."
“Leaving," he repeated.
“Starting over," she explained. “Somewhere no one knows
