"Answer me, Jared!" Serafina's voice cracked like thunder across the grand chamber. "You're just going to stand there?! Say something!"
The air between them was thick with rage, heartbreak, and disbelief. Jared didn't speak. He didn't blink. He didn't even breathe for a moment. He just stood there, jaw clenched so tight his muscles trembled. His eyes, those usually fierce, calculating eyes, were now dark and hollow. Then, with no explanation, no apology, no glance, he turned around and walked out.
Serafina froze.
"What...?" her voice dropped to a whisper, trembling. "You're walking away from me?"
She blinked fast, as if her vision had betrayed her. But the sound of his footsteps, heavy and deliberate, echoed louder than any confession.
"Jared!" she shouted, storming after
