The walk home was silent.
Rea didn't push Aster to talk.
He moved like a storm about to break, tension wound tight in his shoulders, hands buried deep in his pockets like he was trying to hold himself together.
Rea had seen Aster angry before. She'd seen him throw punches, bite back with sharp words and smug smirks. But this?
This was different.
This was quiet.
And that scared her more than anything.
By the time they reached the house, the air between them was thick with everything unsaid.
Aster went straight inside, straight to his room.
Rea hesitated in the doorway, watching him disappear down the hall.
Then she sighed and closed the door behind her.
Her mind was still spinning.
Alexander Calloway.
The name alone made her stomach twist.
She'd never met him, but her parents' fear of him had been enough to keep his name whispered in shadows, mentioned only in hushed conversations they thought she couldn't hear.
She knew he was dangerous. Knew he had power, influence, a reputation that kept even the strongest people wary.
And now, after everything…
He was Aster's father.
The realization settled deep in her chest like a weight she couldn't shake.
She pulled out her phone, staring at the unread messages from her parents.
Be safe.
Stay away from anything messy.
Watch over Aster.
Had they known? Had they always known?
She needed answers.
But first, she needed to make sure Aster was okay.
Rea hesitated for a moment before walking down the hall. Aster's door was shut, but light leaked from underneath, casting a faint glow onto the floor.
She knocked.
Silence.
"Aster?"
No response.
She sighed. "I know you said you don't want to talk, but—"
The door swung open before she could finish.
Aster stood there, leaning against the frame, arms crossed, expression unreadable. His eyes were darker than usual, but there was no smirk, no playful arrogance. Just… nothing.
Rea swallowed. "I just wanted to check on you."
Aster studied her for a long moment before exhaling through his nose. "I'm fine, Rea."
She didn't believe him.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You don't have to pretend with me."
Aster tensed.
Rea hesitated, then reached out, fingers barely grazing his wrist.
He flinched.
It was subtle, barely there, but she felt it.
And it hurt.
Aster must have realized, because he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I get that you're worried. But I don't need saving."
Rea frowned. "That's not what this is."
He let out a humorless chuckle. "Isn't it?"
She crossed her arms. "You think I see you as some helpless kid who needs fixing?"
Aster didn't answer.
Rea shook her head. "You're an idiot."
Aster blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." She stepped forward, closer than before, forcing him to look at her. "I don't want to fix you, Aster. I just—" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I just don't want you to deal with this alone."
Aster's jaw tightened. "I am alone, Rea."
"No, you're not."
He let out a breath, turning away. "You don't get it."
"Then make me get it."
Aster laughed, but it was hollow. "You really wanna know what's in my head right now?"
"Yes."
He turned back to her, eyes burning. "Fine. I'm pissed. At Jaxon, at my mom, at this whole screwed-up situation. I'm pissed that my real father is some power-hungry bastard who probably wouldn't have wanted me anyway. I'm pissed that I thought I knew who I was, and now? Now I don't know anything."
Rea's heart ached.
Aster let out a harsh breath. "And you wanna know the worst part?"
She swallowed. "What?"
He exhaled. "Some stupid part of me wants to meet him."
Rea's breath caught.
Aster shook his head, frustrated. "After everything, after knowing what kind of man he is, I still want to know if he would've given a damn about me." He let out a bitter laugh. "Guess that makes me pathetic, huh?"
Rea stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "You're not pathetic, Aster."
He let out a breath, looking down at her. "Then what am I?"
Rea met his gaze, steady. "You're lost."
Aster stilled.
Rea softened. "But you're not alone."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Aster sighed, running a hand down his face. "I hate that you're nice to me."
Rea huffed a small laugh. "Too bad."
Aster smirked, just a little. "You're really annoying, Jones."
She rolled her eyes. "You're just realizing that now?"
His smirk faded, and something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Before she could say anything else, Aster reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Rea froze.
His fingers barely grazed her skin, but the touch sent a shiver down her spine.
Aster hesitated, his hand lingering for just a second too long.
Then he pulled away, stepping back. "You should get some sleep."
Rea swallowed, forcing herself to nod. "Yeah. You too."
Aster didn't respond. He just gave her a look—one she couldn't quite decipher—before disappearing back into his room.
Rea stood there for a moment, heart pounding, before finally turning away.
She had a feeling neither of them would be getting much sleep tonight.