Scarlet stood alongside Noah on the balcony, observing the manner in which the evening sun caught in the curve of his cheekbone, the easy slant of his shoulders. He didn't even realize the way she was regarding him—actually seeing him.
She had used to map out every inch of his pain, used to study the cracks in him like a map that she alone could decipher. But this Noah. this one was complete in a manner she hadn't seen in years. There were no fissures to slide into. No open wound that she could try to cover up with her love.
And she was frightened.
He was receding from her—but not into Kai this time.
He was slipping somewhere she couldn't follow. Somewhere private. Untouchable.
Scarlet laughed softly, almost bitterly, under her breath. You're finally healing. and it's not because of me. The thought bruised something deep inside her chest.
