Page 117 of Scaled Daddy's Secret Heir

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It’severything.

“You want now,” I say.

“Yeah,” he replies. “Not someday. Not when the Alliance falls. Not when we’re done surviving.Now.”

I look at him, really look, and something in me gives way.

Not in surrender.

In choice.

“I don’t know how to live like that,” I say.

“We learn together.”

His voice is firm. Certain.

“I’m still angry,” I say.

“I know.”

“I’m still scared.”

“Me too.”

“I might hate you a little.”

“I can take it.”

I laugh again, raw and wet. “You always were too damn calm under fire.”

He steps closer. His hand lifts and hovers just near my face. “You want me to stay?”

I nod.

Not big.

Just once.

And then he does the thing I didn’t know I needed.

He touches my face. Just one hand. Warm. Rough-palmed. Thumb brushing a tear away like it’s sacred.

And for the first time in years?—

I let myself believe.

That maybe this isn’t a countdown.

Maybe it’s the start of something.

Hope rises.

Not loud.

Not triumphant.

But like sunlight cracking through a war-damaged window.

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