Chapter 20

• Kael stepped into the room with a quiet determination. His broad shoulders carried the weight of his emotions, and his steel eyes softened as they fell on Chloe, who sat by the window, her knees drawn up to her chest. She was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, the light casting a halo around her as though she were untouchable, even to him.
• He sighed softly and crouched down to her level, resting one arm on his knee. His presence was commanding yet gentle, and Chloe felt his warmth despite the cold wall she’d built around herself.
• "Chloe," Kael began, his voice low and coaxing, like a calming breeze cutting through the storm. "We can’t keep doing this—breaking apart when we should be holding on to each other. I know it’s been hard, but you’ve faced worse, haven’t you?"