I hugged him back tightly and stroked his back with my free hand. He cried, and we stayed like that for some time. I let him let it all out.
After a while, he straightened up. I wiped his tears with my gloved hand and handed him the glass of water I had brought with me.
He grabbed my hand after drinking the water and let me inside his room.
He sat on his bed and let me sit beside him.
“I’m sorry if I didn’t answer your calls or messages. I-I was just--”
I held his hand and shook my head gently. “It’s okay. I know you’re not feeling well. I was just worried about you.”
“I am full of regrets right now, Anastasia. If only I had listened to mom and talked to him right away. I-I could’ve--”
He stopped mid-sentence and hung his head.
I put my arms around him and held him tightly.
“Y
