Page 115 of Cold Mercy

Charles walks closer, that protective crease forming between his brows, a look I know too well.

“I don’t like him here, Soph,” he says bluntly. “He shouldn’t be around you.”

Of course he means Thomas.

And there’s a pull in my chest I don’t expect, a familiar spark that lights up whenever someone assumes they get to choose for me.

“It’s not your decision, Charles.”

“I’m not trying to control you.” His tone is too sharp for that to be true.

“I just don’t want him near you, not after what he did.”

I set my mug down a little harder than I mean to and walk past him to pour water.

The coolness of the glass steadies my pulse.

“You don’t get to decide who’s allowed in the same house as me,” I say, calm but firm. “I’m done letting anyone dictate my life.”

“Sophia, he hurt you.”

“And what, you’re auditioning to be my keeper?” I meet his eyes steadily.

“I don’t need someone monitoring who I talk to, I already survived the hard part.”

“Have you?” There’s concern in his voice, but too much certainty.

“Because the way he looks at you—”

“Stop.” I hold up a hand. “Whatever he feels or doesn’t feel is irrelevant. I don’t owe him anything, and I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Charles clenches his jaw, frustrated but trying to stay gentle.

“If he does anything—”

“He won’t.”

“Soph—”

“I said he won’t.”

The words leave me faster than I expect. I'm not defending this asshole, but I am defending the fact that my life isn’t public property.

Charles lets out a long breath, defeated.

“Fine,” he says eventually, lifting his hands. “I’ll drop it, only for now.”

“Good,” I say, nudging him toward the doorway. “Now go find James and make sure he doesn’t drill a hole through the wrong wall or set something on fire.”

He groans, dragging a hand through his hair. “Fantastic. Babysitting duty, just what I dreamed of.”

He heads out, muttering under his breath as he goes.

The moment the door shuts behind him, the air loosens in my chest. I lean against the counter for a second, and let everything settle.

Charles has always been there for me when we were kids.

But he needs to understand something I’ve worked so hard to finally say, even if only to myself.