Ayla's POV
Soren didn't linger.
I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway, quiet and unhurried, and then the house settled back into its particular morning stillness.
"Are you going to follow him?" Tala asked. "You should at least thank them for the gifts. It's only good manners."
"They've never been particularly mannered toward me," I said.
"That doesn't mean—"
"I know," I sighed.
But did I want to give them anything after years of that? Did they deserve even that much from me?
"You're better than them," Tala said. "Show them that."
I exhaled slowly.
My feet moved before my mind caught up with them.
I ended up outside the community room.
This was the same room where last night's celebration had filled every corner with noise and warmth. Standing here now felt entirely differ
