Page 161 of Sage Haven

“I was ready to die…” she said after a beat.

No bitterness. No drama. Just truth.

“I was ready to disappear with no one knowing my shame.” Her breath shuddered out of her like a ghost she’d been holding in too long. “But you… you didn’t let me.”

I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her she’d saved herself. But I stayed quiet.

Because maybe she needed to say this.

And maybe I needed to hear it.

“You showed me how to let that go,” she whispered. “You made me see that trusting again doesn’t mean giving yourself away.” She drew a breath, as though steadying herself, and then her voice dropped, quieter. “I spent so long thinking routine would keep me safe. If I controlled everything, I couldn’t be blindsided again. But all I was doing was hiding. From everything. From myself.”

I knew what that was like.

I knew it too well.

“You did this,” I told her. My voice was rougher than I intended. “Not me.”

She shook her head slowly, her eyes shining. “You made me open up.”

“Again… that was all you.”

Her laugh was faint, but real, as she pointed at herself. “And I thought I was the difficult one.”

I smirked, teasing, “You are.” then softer, “But you did all the hard work, wildflower.”

Her expression changed—something softened, something vulnerable and open that nearly wrecked me.

And then she said it again, “Still… thank you.”

I swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in my throat.

It was stupid.

I shouldn’t have felt this much over two simple words.

But I did.

Her fingers slid to my chest, resting over my heart. I was sure she could feel how hard it was pounding. And maybe that was the point.

“I know I still have a long way to go,” she said after a moment. “But I feel like I’m getting better.”

I watched her carefully.

Because there was something else.

I could feel it.

A hesitation.

A shadow.

“What is it, Sage?”

She bit her lip, almost like she was considering lying, but then she sighed, “I found your library today.”

My brow arched, “Did you?”