We sat in the corner, sunlight spilling across the table. Zaria ordered tea for herself, coffee for me, without asking.
“What did he say?” she asked, her tone deceptively casual.
I stared down at the table. “Bruno. He… brought up Bruno. Again.”
Her lips pressed into a sympathetic line, though the glint in her eyes was sharper. “Still? After everything? That’s not fair to you.”
I shook my head, desperate to defend Adrian even through my own pain. “It’s more complicated than that. He… he’s guarded. He cares but… he just doesn’t…”
“Doesn’t show it?” she finished smoothly. “Makes you feel like you’re the problem?”
The words cut, because they were too close to the truth.
I didn’t answer, but my silence said enough.
She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand.
“Nova, you deserve s
