Chapter 96 Aaron
Aaron
She’s staring at the horizon like she’s deciding the shape of the future.
That’s how she always looks—
right before she changes it.
I lean against the doorframe, watching her.
Not interrupting.
Not pushing.
Just… there.
“You don’t have to,” I say.
She doesn’t look at me.
“I know.”
“You don’t owe anyone anything.”
That gets a small smile.
Not dismissive.
Just aware.
“I know.”
She turns then.
Fully.
And there’s something different in her now.
Not softer.
Stronger.
More certain.
“But I do know how to stop this from happening again,” she says.
I study her.
Because I believe her.
That’s the part that matters.
“You’re not going to be able to do that quietly.”
“No,” she agrees.
No hesitation.
No denial.
She steps closer.
Takes my hand.
Simple.
Grounding.
Real.
“I’m not going to do it alone.”
That—
That lands harder than the mission.
Harder than the fight.
Harder than almost losing her.
Because this isn’t survival.
This is choice.
This is future.
My grip tightens around hers.
Not holding on—
standing with.
“Good,” I say quietly.
And this time—
it means everything.