Chapter 45

Nathan's POV

This isn’t meant to fucking happen.

It’s not meant to go like this.

Theo’s staring at me like he expects me to fix it, like I’m supposed to have some answer tucked up my sleeve, but there’s nothing. No protocol. No simple solution. This isn’t a scenario we planned for. And even if it were, nothing about her feels like something you can just plan around.

You’re meant to bring someone out of subspace slowly. Gently. You’re meant to guide them back down to earth in a safe, grounded way. Not drag them out by the throat and throw them straight back into panic and reality. The descent should be gradual. Warm. Surrounded by calm and care. Not this.

Which is why, when her phone buzzed and she panicked, I didn’t think anything of it. Not at first.