Penelope’s POV

For a long second, he just stood there, staring down at me on the floor.

His face was still hard, but something in his eyes… shifted. The anger was still there, yes, but behind it, I saw something else. Something warmer. Something almost like concern.

And then, slowly, he stretched out his hand toward me.

He didn’t say anything. Just stood there, arm out, waiting for me to take it.

I looked at his hand. Big and strong.

I didn’t take it.

“I’m fine,” I said softly, ...