I hugged Finnick without thinking. His chest was broad and warm, and just being near him made all my fears and troubles fade. I could feel the steady beat of his heart, the quiet strength in his arms, and a heat that wrapped around me like protection. For a moment, nothing else mattered. I just wanted to stay here, close to him, and forget everything else.
"Finnick, thank you," I whispered. "It's not about the ten million. It's for loving and protecting me. Thank you."
His heartbeat quickened. This was the first time I'd hugged him on my own, and it seemed he wasn't expecting it. He tilted his head, surprised, and asked softly, "You're not angry with me anymore?"
"That was a long time ago," I said honestly. "Before this, I thought you didn't respect me enough. You were… harsh, aggressive even. Domineering. But now I see it was your anger, not your heart. I can't fully blame you."
Finnick furrowed his brows. "Is that the only thing you're angry about?"
