Kai’s POV
I stood outside her door for a full minute before I knocked. My hand felt heavy. After everything that happened, after I found her bleeding on the road, I just needed to see with my own eyes that she was okay. I didn’t plan to tell her I was the one who saved her. I didn’t want to sound like some hero trying to get credit. That would’ve been too misogynistic, too much like I was expecting something back. I just… wanted to know she was breathing.
I knocked softly. “Aria? It’s Kai. Can I come in?”
The door opened a c***k. She looked at me like I was the last person she wanted to see. Her eyes were tired, her shoulder still bandaged, but she stood straight like she was ready to fight.
“What do you want?” she asked, voice already sharp.
I tried to keep mine gentle. “Just checkin
