Harry could see Airam's shoulders trembling again, maybe from the cold, maybe from everything she'd been trying so hard to hold together.
He stepped closer and gently pulled his coat tighter around her.
"You don't have to act strong with me," he murmured.
Airam looked away sharply. "I'm not acting strong. I am strong." Harry gave a small, knowing smile. "I know. I just… You don't always have to carry it alone."
They stood on the quiet viewing deck overlooking the Homalia waterfront. Lantern lights shimmered across the still water, the night air crisp and calm. It was peaceful, so peaceful that Airam wondered how the world could look this still when her heart felt so loud.
Harry let out a slow breath. "You know… I had almost the same childhood."
Airam's brows lifted slightly.
"My mother died giving birth to me," Harry said softly. "And sometimes… sometimes my dad looked at me like I stole her from him. Or maybe I just reminded him too much of her."
He paused. "He was hard on me growing up."
Airam folded her arms, unsure what to say, unsure if she even should. Harry wasn't the type to talk about himself, not like this.
"He was a good father at first," Harry continued, staring out at the water. "But mostly… I was a project. Something he had to mold. I always had to prove I was worthy to carry on the Johnson name."
Airam didn't speak. She simply stood there, giving him the silence he needed.
"I remember hiding in the closet once," he said, voice distant. "My nanny told me not to make a sound. I hugged my knees so tight they hurt. That was the day my dad tried to send me off to some boarding school across the world."
He swallowed hard. "And all I could think was… if Mum was alive, she'd protect me."
He turned slowly toward her.
"So Airam… you were a child. Our fathers' failures are not our shame."
Airam looked up at him, surprised at the sincerity, at the quiet pain in his eyes that matched her own.
"So I understand how you feel," Harry said gently. "The way you fight for your family. The way you show up every day, even when it hurts. You deserved better. You still do."
Something loosened in her chest, a knot she hadn't even realized she was holding, and Harry seems to be feeling cold, too.
She blinked. "…You gave me your coat."
"Obviously." He shrugged dramatically. "If you freeze, Jane will kill me. And Laila will bury me. And your mother, sweet woman, will pray for my soul but still kill me."
Airam's lips curved despite herself.
For a moment, the wind was the only sound between them.
Then Harry asked quietly, "Do you want to go somewhere warmer? Or we can just stay. Whatever you want."
Airam looked at him, and for the first time, she wasn't sure he was the villain she had painted him to be.
"I want to stay," she whispered.
Harry nodded and leaned against the railing beside her, close but not crowding her.
After a moment, she glanced at him. "I didn't know you had a rough childhood. You and your dad seem… pretty cool now."
"He grew. I grew." Harry said with a small smile. "I realized he was human too. We all handle pain differently."
Airam saw the ache in his eyes. For once, she didn't feel anger—not toward him.
"And I'm sure there were moments when you wished it was your dad who died instead of your mum."
Harry froze, slightly caught off guard. Because she was right.
"But listen," Airam added quietly, "I wouldn't trade my mother for anyone. If I can only have one parent, let me have her. I'm not rubbing your pain in your face… I'm saying I understand."
Harry nodded, quiet and thoughtful.
"Airam," he called softly.
"Hmmm?" she answered, still staring at the water.
"What are you looking for in a man?"
Airam's head snapped toward him.
"I think we should head back. We have work in the morning. And… thanks."
She turned and started walking toward the hotel.
"Oh come on," Harry groaned lightly, following behind. "I was just trying to make conversation. I thought we were past the stage where you ignore me."
"Harry, I don't forgive," Airam said, wrapping her arms around herself as she walked. "Thanks for being there for me tonight. But I don't forgive, you had plenty of time to tell me the truth, but you didn't, I opened myself up for the first time, and you gave me a reason why I shouldn't have so no. We can be distant coworkers… boss and staff… or maybe friends if you earn it. That doesn't include me answering that question right now."
Harry stopped walking. "I don't want to be your friend, Airam," he said, his voice low and firm.
Airam turned slightly, brows raised. In her head, she was already saying,
Good. I don't want to be your friend either. Just leave me alone.
But the look in Harry's eyes told her he meant something entirely different.