CIAN
I lifted my hand and placed it over hers, where it gripped my arm, not to remove it, not yet, but to ground the moment, to make sure she felt the certainty I was trying to give her.
"But I will never forgive myself if he escapes out of here," I continued, holding her gaze as I spoke, letting the truth of that settle between us before I added, quieter but no less firm, "Help my uncle. I will be fine."
She didn't release me immediately, and for a moment it felt like time stretched in that space between us, her grip still tight, her eyes searching mine as though she was trying to find something she could trust enough to let go.
I could see everything happening behind her expression, the fear that refused to loosen its hold, the doubt that lingered no matter what I said, and beneath it all, the instinctive need to keep me close, to stop me from stepping into something she believed would take me from her.
For a moment, I thought she might refuse.
