The room was silent except for Ava’s unsteady breathing. Jae still had his arms wrapped around her, holding her close as if she’d disappear the moment he let go.

She was trembling.

Jae could feel it.

Slowly, he pulled back just enough to cup her face again, his thumbs tracing soothing circles against her skin. “Ava,” he murmured, his voice soft but firm. “Talk to me.”

She swallowed, eyes flickering between his, hesitation clouding her gaze.

“I—I can’t…” she whispered, shaking her head.

Jae frowned but didn’t push. “You don’t have to force yourself, but…” He exhaled, pressing his forehead against hers again. “Let me be here for you.”

Ava clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The memories were already creeping in, suffocating her, making her chest feel like it was caving in.

“I…” Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip.

Jae tightened his grip on her hands.

She took a deep, shuddering breath before forcing the words out.

“When I was six… my mother remarried.”

Jae didn’t move, just listened.

Ava’s lips trembled. “She kept marrying. Again. And again. And again. Every time, a new man would come into my life. And every time, they—” She cut herself off, squeezing her eyes shut.

Jae’s grip on her hands tightened.

Ava swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue. “They weren’t good men, Jae. They—they would hit me. Lock me in rooms. Some nights, I wouldn’t even get food.” Her voice wavered, but she kept going. “When I was nine, one of them… he—” She inhaled sharply. “One of them cut me.”

Jae froze.

Ava’s fingers trembled as she absentmindedly touched her arm. “I don’t even remember why. Maybe I talked back. Maybe I didn’t listen. I don’t know. But there was so much blood. I remember screaming. Crying. I thought I was going to die.”

Jae’s entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched so tight it ached.

Ava’s voice was barely a whisper now. “I don’t even know if my mother knew. Maybe she did. Maybe she didn’t care. I don’t know. I just—” Her breath hitched. “Every time I see blood, I—”

Jae couldn’t take it anymore.

He pulled her back into his arms, hugging her tightly.

Ava let out a shaky breath against his chest. “It’s stupid, right? I should be over it by now.”

Jae’s grip tightened. “Don’t.” His voice was hoarse, low. “Don’t say that.”

Ava blinked against his shirt.

Jae pulled back just enough to cup her face again, his gaze filled with something she couldn’t quite place—something fierce.

“You went through hell, Ava,” he said, his voice thick with restrained emotion. “