= Mikael =
I did nothing but look at her.
It wasn’t shock exactly—more like recalibration. Of all the answers I’d prepared myself to hear, of all the hesitations and careful deflections, this one hadn’t even crossed my mind. My thoughts stalled and before I could school my expression into something neutral, a slow, entertained smirk tugged at my mouth.
“You surprise me,” I said at last, my voice lighter than I felt. “Most people would ask for time.” A pause. “Or reassurance.”
She lifted one shoulder in a small, careless shrug, as if the weight of the decision didn’t sit heavy in her chest. “I’m tired,” she replied simply. “Tired of going in circles and running from the same choice over and over.” Her gaze didn’t waver. “If I’m going to do this, then I want to do it properly.”
Somethi
