Worse Than Dead

She turned slowly, meeting his eyes. “Do you remember that night,” she began softly, “when I told you I just need you to be honest with me?” She paused, letting the words sink in. “Even if the truth… is ugly.”

Kaelen’s chest tightened. He swallowed hard, jaw clenching as he tried to steady the storm inside. He stepped closer, the space between them charged with unspoken tension.

“I do,” he said,