Elias’s POV

Ronan did not leave right away. Even after he walked me into my room, even after he told me he was not going anywhere, he just stood there for a moment, watching me like he needed to make sure I was really breathing.

I sat on the edge of the bed. My hands were still shaking a little. My chest felt tight from everything that had happened. The room felt too quiet, almost heavy.

Ronan stepped closer and lowered himself to sit beside me. Not too close, just enough that I could feel ...