Page 24 of Icebound Hearts

“Get out. Get the fuck out of my head. Not again.” I shout it, but the words are useless. I throw my phone towards the mirror, watching it crash against the glass, shattering it everywhere. I slowly back up against the wall, feeling its coldness seep into my bones.

“Please, just leave me alone,” I whisper, my voice shaking as I curl into myself, pressing my knees to my chest. It’s not real. I know it’s not real. But my mind doesn’t care. Suddenly, I’m no longer in the hockey house. I’m back there. Back in that dark, empty hospital room. Back with him.

Max’s voice slithers into my ear like poison.

‘You don’t think you can do this without me?’ His grip tightens on my wrist. ‘Don’t act like you don’t want it, Kat.’

My body rigidifies, and my breathing becomes shallow. As the walls close in, my vision tunnels, and my thoughts turn against me.

You let it happen.

You froze.

You should have fought harder.

I gasp for air, but I can’t get enough, my chest tightening, my heartbeat hammering in my ears. Someone calls my name, but it’s muffled, distant—like I’m underwater. A hand touches my arm, and I flinch back violently, scrambling away.

“Kat! Hey. It’s me.”The voice is familiar.

Safe. Alina. I blink hard, trying to shake the phantom hands off me, focusing on now—not then. I’m in the living room. Not in that hospital room. Not with

Him. Alina is kneeling in front of me, her hands up in surrender, her brown eyes wide with worry. “Breathe with me, okay? In for four, out for four.”

I shake my head, gripping my arms.

“I—I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” she says, firmer now. “You’re safe, Kat. You’re safe.”

“Ali, it’s happening again. Why the fuck is it happening again?” I whisper, the panic clawing at my throat. Alina doesn’t hesitate. She sits next to me and pulls me into her arms, holding me tightly as I sob.

“I know, baby girl. I’m sorry.” She whispers, the warmth of her embrace grounding me, if only for a moment. Roman and Aiden stand at the door, unsure whether to come in, but Aiden’s gaze burns through the side of my face, a heat that doesn’t feel like pity but something more complicated.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to focus on the rise and fall of her breathing, trying to drown out his voice, but the panic is still clawing at my ribs.

Alina glances at her phone, swearing under her breath.

“Shit. I have to be at work in ten minutes.” I nod rapidly despite my hands still shaking and my thoughts still spiralling.

“I’m fine. Go.”

“You are not fine,” she argues, hesitating as she scans my face full of concern.

“I’ll stay with her.” Both of us freeze. Slowly, I look up. Aiden stands in the doorway, arms crossed, brow furrowed. His usual smirk is nowhere to be found. Alina hesitates, glancing between us.

“Are you sure?” Aiden nods, his eyes not leaving mine.

“Go. I got her.” Alina kisses the top of my head before rubbing my arm.

“I’ll drop you off,” Roman tells her, and she nods in response, casting a glance towards me. Alina squeezes my knee gently before grabbing her bag and heading for the door, giving Aiden one last look that says, don’t screw this up.

I sit stiffly, staring at the floor, trying to pretend that my entire

body isn’t still trembling. Aiden doesn’t move at first and doesn’t say anything. He just watches me, his dark eyes unreadable.

“You wanna tell me what that was?” he finally asks.

I shake my head quickly. “No.” He exhales sharply but doesn’t argue. Instead, he moves towards the couch across from mine and—much to my surprise—sits on the floor beside it, his back resting against the cushions. We sit in silence for a minute. Two.

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