Chapter 101

  KAELON’S POV   I turned to face Aaron slowly, the weight of his footsteps pounding against the marble floor echoing louder than my thoughts. The coldness in my stare wasn’t deliberate, but it settled in like an old friend, familiar and protective. "It’s none of your business," I said flatly, my voice like gravel dragged across steel. Aaron stopped mid-stride, his jaw tightening. “What the fuck are you saying?” he snapped. “She is my mother, for fuck's sake. That makes it my goddamn business.” Martha shifted uncomfortably beside him, her hand brushing against his arm as if to anchor him. “Don’t worry, Aaron,” she said softly. “I’ll leave.” He turned to her, frustration radiating off him in waves. Still, he guided her out with an arm gently around her back. I watched the door close behind them, tension rippling through me like a storm just barely contained beneath my skin. Minutes passed. Each second felt like a jagged blade dragging across my spine. Then the door burst open again. Aar