Kiara sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers locked together so tightly they had started to ache. She hadn't moved much since they'd left the kitchen, and even now, her ears were tuned to every small sound.
The ticking clock. The faint hum of the air. Her own heartbeat. It was loud. Too loud.
Then, the doorbell rang. Her body reacted before her mind did. She froze.
Her breath caught somewhere between her chest and throat, refusing to move any further. Slowly, she stood up, her legs unsteady beneath her, her eyes already drifting toward the door.
He's here.
Fionn, who had been standing a few steps away, didn't hesitate. He glanced at her briefly, just enough to catch the fear written all over her face, before walking toward the door.
"Stay here," he said calmly.
But Kiara didn't listen. She couldn't. Her feet moved on their own, following behind him, though she stopped halfway, unable to go any further.
The door opened. And everything broke. Julian didn't wait.
