I stepped past him, brushing his arm. “You’re not Tobias, Thoren. You don’t have to prove that every time you care about me.”
His jaw flexed. “I just never want to make you feel powerless again.”
“Then don’t,” I said simply. “Help me feel powerful instead.”
He turned the handle, adjusting the temperature until steam slowly began to rise. Then he stepped back, giving me space.
The water hit my skin like permission. Like exorcism.
I stood there for a long time, letting it strip away the things I didn’t want to carry anymore. Not grief. Not shame. Not his name.
When I stepped out, clean clothes waited on the counter. Soft. Neutral. Comfortable.
Mine.
I dressed in silence, ran fingers through my damp hair, and opened the door.
Thoren was still there.
Not hovering. Not commanding.
Ju
