Chater 9 Sierra spun around quickly, startled to see Theo standing behind her. She hadn't even noticed when he'd arrived.

"Uncle Theo, what are you doing here?"

His sharp eyes took in her tear-streaked face and red-rimmed eyes. In a deep, steady voice, he asked, "Who upset you?"

"No one. I just got something in my eye," Sierra stammered, her tone flustered as she hurried to explain.

She raised her hand to wipe her tears, but the motion tugged at her injury, and she gasped sharply in pain. The wound on her arm reopened earlier when Sophie had deliberately squeezed it.

Before she could react, a hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her. Theo had already stepped closer, so close that they stood toe-to-toe. Without a word, he wiped the tears from her face.

Sierra's heart tightened, and her body went rigid. The sudden closeness was overwhelming, and the faint, cool scent of pine on him filled her senses.

Even this gesture—his hand brushing against her skin as he wiped her tears—felt far too intimate.

"Uncle Theo, I can do it myself," she protested softly, taking a small step back.

She reached out to take the tissue from him, but before she could, Theo caught her hand.

quietly. "Do you want to lose

pressed against her wrist, their warmth seeping into her

on her swollen eyes and damp lashes. His lips pressed

it Benson

looked up at him, meeting his deep, penetrating gaze, and quickly shook her

up with a better excuse. Where would sand even come from in

sliced through her clumsy attempt at

bit her lip tightly. She didn't want to talk about what had happened between her and Benson, especially not with Theo. After

wouldn't he

don't want to talk about it,"

I insist on

forward, closing the

untouched by wind. But there was an unshakable pressure beneath it, quiet,

Theo's grip, and his tall frame loomed over herm enveloping her completely. It was as

against her will. She had always been careful to maintain boundaries with others, but Theo's deliberate step forward had crossed every unspoken

she called him "Uncle Theo", the truth was, he was only five years

"Uncle Theo, I respect you as an

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