Danilo
The moment his words hit me, my world ended.
It didn't crash. It didn't explode. It just went quiet.
I could see it in Kolli's eyes. That was the worst part. It was the look Pai had just described to me by the lake. That emptiness. That tired, worn-out place where "I love you" doesn't reach anymore. Where begging doesn't fix it.
"My family loves you," I said. My voice sounded like it belonged to someone else. Thin. Desperate. "They just struggle to understand sometimes. But I promise you, Kolli, I'll protect you. From them. From all of this. I'll do it."
Kolli stood up from the bed. He let out a slow breath, like he'd been holding it for years.
"You shouldn't have to protect me," he said. "Especially not from family. We tried, Danilo. We really did. And I can go to bed tonight knowing that we didn't give up."
