Jayden POV

“Constant.”

That's it. Constant. I couldn't help but smile at her. “A constant force,” I said in agreement. “A constant that I know I can always count on to be mistreated. I couldn't lose you, no matter what. And even now, I can't imagine not having you around, in some way or another.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

It was clear from the calm look on her face, her cautious and calculating voice. And yet, there were tears behind her eyes, eyes that never cried. At least not for me.

Realizing this, I felt my heart beating so fast, I could hear it rumbling in my...