Chapter 116

• He didn't believe her. There was an air of forced nonchalance about her, the way she brushed off the question without meeting his gaze. It was instinctual for him to press further, to dig beneath the surface, but he hesitated. He knew from experience that pushing too hard could cause people to wall off entirely. So instead, he opted for a gentler approach. “If you ever need a breather or want to talk about anything… I’m here, Gemma.”
• The sincerity in his voice drew her gaze back to him, her hazel eyes flickering with a mix of gratitude and more shadowed emotions. “I really appreciate that, Derek. I’m fine, I promise. Just a little overwhelmed, that’s all.”
• Derek nodded, accepting her words even though they felt like a flimsy cover for the truth. He wanted to dig deeper, but he was acutely aware of the boundaries inside her mind. If she needed space, he didn’t want to encroach. Instead, he decided to keep an eye on her from a distance, hoping she would open up in her own time.