KAELON’S POV

I turned to face Aaron slowly, the weight of his footsteps pounding against the marble floor echoing louder than my thoughts. The coldness in my stare wasn’t deliberate, but it settled in like an old friend, familiar and protective.

"It’s none of your business," I said flatly, my voice like gravel dragged across steel.

Aaron stopped mid-stride, his jaw tightening. “What the fuck are you saying?” he snapped. “She is my mother, for fuck's sake. That makes it my goddamn business.”

Martha shifted uncomfortably beside him, her hand brushing against his arm as if to anchor him.

“Don’t worry, Aaron,” she said softly. “I’ll leave.”

He turned to...