Cole’s POV

I watched her sign her name, each stroke of the pen feeling like both victory and defeat.

She’s yours now, that dark voice whispered. Legally. Officially. Yours to protect.

But not mine to keep. Not mine to love. Not mine in any way that mattered beyond ink on paper.

That’s what you wanted, I reminded myself. Clean. Controlled. Safe.

So why did watching her sign feel like I’d just trapped something wild and beautiful in a cage?

I signed my own name below hers Cole ...