Page 132 of Knot Happening Again

"It's not about that," he continues. "We all just want you to be comfortable. To know you have a place here. That this is your home."

Home. There's that word again. It settles in my chest, warm and terrifying.

"I don't expect you to come running back into my arms now or ever," Leon says softly. "I haven't even begun to make amends. But I will spend the rest of my life trying."

His words hit me like a physical blow. I turn away, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his eyes.

"Why?" I whisper, staring out the window at the manicured grounds below. "Why go to all this trouble for something that's never going to happen?"

I hear him step closer, but he doesn't touch me. "Because you deserve it, Effy. Because I want to give you everything I should have given you years ago. No strings attached."

Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink them back furiously. "And what if I don't want it? What if I can't..."

"Then that's okay too," he says gently. "This is yours either way. You can use it or not use it."

I turn to face him, searching his expression for any hint of deception. But all I see is open honesty and a deep, aching regret.

"I don't know if I can trust this," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "Trustyou."

Leon nods, accepting my words without argument. "I know. And that's okay. But I'll try to earn it, day by day, for as long as it takes."

Something inside me cracks at his words. A tiny fissure in the walls I've built around my heart. I build it right back up, not willing to go there again.

"Even if it's forever?" I ask.

He gives me a small smile that would break my heart all over again, if there were anything left to shatter. "Always."

CHAPTER 38

OPHELIA

Itrail my fingers along the banister as I descend the stairs, struck by the unusual quiet blanketing the house. Normally, there's a constant buzz of activity. Mace puttering in the kitchen, Rhys on a work call, Troy's music drifting from his studio.

But now?

Nothing.

A tendril of unease curls in my stomach. Have they all left? Did something happen? I'm not used to this feeling of... belonging. Of caring where people are, of being cared for in return. It's unsettling, how quickly I've grown accustomed to their presence.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't notice Troy until he's right in front of me, sweeping me into his arms. His lips crash against mine, stealing my breath and my worries in one fell swoop. When he finally pulls back, I'm dizzy, clinging to his shoulders to stay upright.

"Morning, princess," he says, that cocky grin spreading across his face. "Hope you're wearing comfortable shoes, 'cause we're going shopping."

I blink, trying to process his words through the haze of his kiss. "Shopping? But I don't need?—"

"Need's got nothing to do with it," he cuts me off, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "This is about spoiling you rotten. And if your shoes aren't comfy enough, I'll just have to carry you. Win-win, if you ask me."

A blush creeps up my cheeks at the thought of Troy carrying me through a mall. "I can walk just fine," I mumble, even as a part of me thrills at the idea of being in his arms.

"Suit yourself," he shrugs, but his hand slides down to cup my ass, giving it a squeeze. My blush deepens, spreading down my neck. "But I've got plans for you, princess. Gonna buy you some pretty little things to wear for us. Or not wear, as the case may be."

The idea of Troy picking out lingerie for me... it's equal parts exciting and terrifying. I open my mouth, not sure if I'm going to protest or agree, when a throat clears behind us.

We turn to see Leon standing there, his posture uncharacteristically hesitant. Gone is the cocky alpha I remember from our youth.

In his place is a man who looks...

Humbled.

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