Aiden paused, watching her stare out of the window. His heart ached at her weak request.
Here, he was willing to give her the entire world —yet all she craved was just … a hug.
Just how lonely had she felt in that crowd?
He didn't respond right away. His eyes remained fixed on her, watching in silence until she finally turned to him —looking so vulnerable it twisted something inside him.
"Please," she said again, wrapping her arms around herself, as if trying to shield herself from the coldness of the world.
She wasn't crying. But he could see the tears shimmering at the corner of her eyes, and it broke him to know she was trying so hard to hold them back —even around him.
He clenched his jaw, fighting the anger burning inside him —not at her, never at her, but at those who had pushed her to this edge.
Still for her sake, he forced a soft smile and opened his arms.
She hesitated only a moment before scooting closer, then slowly melted into his warmth.
