Aurora flinched at the finality of his words. He didn't ask her to stay. He just told her.
She didn't answer at first. The living room suddenly seemed too small, too confining with him so close and the memories of this place swirling around her.
But as she stared at him, standing there with that quiet intensity in his gaze, something stopped her. He hadn't moved from his spot, but it was as if he was holding the space between them, refusing to let it shrink.
Her mouth went dry, and she found herself unwilling to leave, even though she told herself that was what she should do. Her chest tightened, and the words she hadn't wanted to say slipped out before she could stop them.
"I didn't come here for you," she murmured. "I came for Seraphina."
The words tasted bitter, but they were true.
Tim's gaze softened, just a fraction, but enough for Aurora to feel it like a weight against her skin. "She's safe. She's asleep."
"I know."
