Amelia’s POV

“Hey… hey, c’mere.”

Ryder’s voice barely carried. He edged a step closer, palms up, like he was coaxing a stray.

“You didn’t hurt me, okay? Look at me. I’m right here.

My eyes dropped to his forearm—still red, still angry-looking where I’d burned him.

It wasn’t healing. Not fast enough.

“I did,” I said quietly, the words barely catching on my breath. “You don’t have to pretend.”

Ryder followed my gaze, then shook his head like I’d just missed ...