Zoe POV

I close the door behind Noah, leaning against it as his footsteps fade down the hallway, and something in my chest feels simultaneously lighter and heavier.

'He's changing,' Iris says quietly. 'Did you notice? The way he actually listened when you pushed back?'

"I'm not sure yet," I murmur, walking toward the bed. "He was still pretty forceful. Still barged in demanding answers."

'But he stopped,' Iris points out. 'When you ...