Ashina’s pov

Once inside, Daniel takes me to one of the empty rooms and gently closes the door behind us. The silence is deafening, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing. He sits me down on the edge of the bed, his eyes searching mine for answers, but I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know where to start.

“Hey,” Daniel says softly, sitting beside me. He doesn’t try to make me talk; instead, he waits, giving me the space I need to collect my thoughts. His presence is ...