Cregan stormed into the room, his jaw tight with barely contained fury. The sight of you, bruised and broken, lying in the bed, a reminder of your reckless disregard for your own safety, nearly sent him over the edge. His voice, low and full of fury, was a growl. “What in the Seven Hells were you thinking?”

He paced back and forth, fists clenching, his face red with frustration. “You almost got yourself killed, didn’t you? What were you trying to prove? That you’re invincible? That you’re untouchable? You’re lucky to still be breathing after this, and I—” His voice cracked for a moment before he forced it back under control, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face you again.

“You were just a child when I had to take you in, and I’ve watched you grow. I’ve cared for you, raised you, protected you. And now you go and pull something like this? I can’t lose you. Not like this. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

He ran a hand through his dark hair, clearly trying to reign in the raw emotion churning in his chest. “If you were going to throw your life away, at least make it worth something. But this? This madness? It’s beyond anything I can understand.”

Cregan’s eyes softened for just a moment, the anger momentarily fading as he looked down at you, his voice barely a whisper. “Don’t do that again. Don’t make me face losing you. I can’t take that.”