I waited outside her dressing room for too long. The hallway was cold, quiet, except for the thumping bass from the afterparty echoing through the floor.

Everyone else was celebrating. The crowd had gone crazy over our performance — Huntrix and Saja Boys on one stage? Yeah, we lit that place up.

But all I could think about was the way she looked at me.

Not with love. Not with her soft smile or teasing eyes. No. She looked at me like I was a stranger. Like I was something dangerous.

Because I am.

I never meant for her to find out like that. But tonight, when she walked on stage and saw our patterns — the demon marks glowing on my skin and on the boys — I knew the truth had hit her like a bullet. And she still sang. She still gave the fans everything. That’s what makes her different. That’s what makes her strong.

But it broke her.

After the lights went out and the last note faded, she was gone. No hug. No smile. No “you did great tonight.” Just silence. And I deserved it.

She pulled Rumi aside first. Whispered like her voice was afraid of being loud. Then Zoey. And then Mira.

Her whole body was tense, eyes wild, like she thought she was protecting them. Like she was the only one who knew.

But they knew.

They all knew what I was. What we were.

And they never told her.

I watched the realization hit her. Not just the truth about me — but the betrayal. The pain. She wasn’t just heartbroken because I lied. She was heartbroken because they didn’t tell her either.

Her band. Her family.

She walked past me in the hallway like I wasn’t even there. Like the boy who held her when she cried, who made her laugh at 3 a.m., who kissed her behind the stage lights — didn’t exist anymore.

And I didn’t stop her.

I wanted to. I wanted to grab her hand, tell her that I love her, that I never wanted to hurt her. That the only reason I hid this was because I was scared.

Because demons don’t get to love like this. Because demons don’t get to have someone like her.

But I was a coward.

So I just stood there. Watching her disappear behind that door, into the silence.

Baby found me after. Tried to joke around like always, said I looked like someone killed my puppy. Mystery didn’t even speak — he just gave me that knowing stare.

Romance said something about heartbreak being poetic. Typical.

But none of it helped. Because I don’t care about the jokes. Or the stares. Or the drama.

I just care about her.

My ray of sunshine.

I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me. Maybe she’ll never look at me the same again.

Maybe I broke something between us that can’t be fixed. And that kills me.

But I can’t stay away.

I’ve seen what she is when no one’s watching. I’ve seen her kindness, her strength, the way she lights up when she talks about music.

The way she worries about Mira when she’s insecure, the way she laughs at Zoey’s jokes and makes her feel she’s enough, the way she always checks on Rumi even when she says she’s fine.

She’s the best thing I’ve ever known.

And I’m the worst thing she ever discovered.

But if she gives me one more chance… just one…

I’ll tell her everything. The truth. The history. Why we came here. What the Saja Boys really are.

And I’ll swear on whatever soul I have left that I’ll protect her, no matter what side she chooses.

Even if she hunts me one day.

Because I’d rather be destroyed by her than live without her.

I’m sorry my sunshine.

Not just for the lie, but for letting fear win. For not being brave enough to tell you before the lights turned on. For not being the kind of man — or demon — you deserved.

But I’m still here.

Still yours.

Even if you never want me again… I’ll still love you. In silence. In shadow. In every beat of every song we ever sang together.

Because you didn’t just make me feel human. You made me want to be.

And that… that’s something even hell can’t take from me.