Chapter 129

"Afraid of me, I guess," I said softly. "Afraid of actually being happy."

Gideon studied me for a moment, as if trying to absorb every layer of what I'd just confessed. His fingers traced gentle patterns against mine, that familiar touch grounding me instantly.

"Explain that to me," he said quietly.

I took a deep breath, trying to untangle thoughts that had lived buried in me for years. It wasn't