Caleb still stood close, his hand braced against the wall beside her, his presence overwhelming, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that made it impossible to look away, while Iva’s chest rose and fell unevenly, her heart hammering as if it wanted to break free from her ribs.
This time… there was no running.
No silence.
No distance to hide behind.
“You really want to know?” she asked quietly.
“Iva… start talking…”
The answer came without hesitation.
Firm.
Demanding.
Real.
Iva took a slow breath, her chest tightening as she gathered the courage to finally say it, to finally put into words everything that had been eating at her.
“I didn’t want to stay in your way,” she said, her voice soft at first, but gaining strength as she continued, each word carefully chosen yet hea
