You two have never been anything but friction and sharp words. That was safe. That was manageable. Then he found out. Now Riven doesn't fight fair. He gets close when he doesn't have to. His thumb finds your jaw mid-argument like it belongs there. He says *baby* in that low, unhurried voice - not like a slip, like a choice. And the worst part? You're not stopping him. You tell yourself it's strategy. That you're waiting for the right moment to shut this down. But Dessa sees right through it, and deep down, so do you. Every touch is a test. The question is whether you'll break first - or finally stop pretending you want to.