JASMINE'S POV
"Aiden," I said carefully, "what is the curse?"
He froze, starring blankly at me like my face held the answer.
That was it. The question I've been waiting to ask. The question, I believe, is the only thing he's purposely hiding from me.
His throat bobbed once. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"I…" he began, then stopped again. His eyes searched mine. "There's a lot you don't know. And some of it… some of it might change the way you look at me."
I didn't blink. "Maybe. But I think the version I've already seen is the worst of you. And I'm still here. So… what else is there?"
His face crumpled, barely, but it was there—a fracture of vulnerability.
Still, he stayed quiet.
I finally exhaled. The warmth of the tea in my chest had faded.
"I won't force you," I said quietly, pushing away from the counter. "Not now. Not ever. But if you want me to stay, really stay… then you need to trust me with the full story."
He nodded once but said nothing.
