17. Tiana
Roman said nothing while I cried.
Not the fake comforting things people usually said, not calm down, not the don’t cry… nothing.
He simply held me tighter every time another broken breath escaped me and somehow, that hurt more because kindness felt unfamiliar to me.
I stayed curled against him for what felt like forever, breathing unevenly while his hand moved slowly through my hair and back.
Eventually the crying weakened into silence… embarrassing and humiliating silence.
I wiped my face quickly before pulling back slightly.
“Sorry,” I whispered automatically.
Roman’s brows pulled together instantly.
“For what?”
I looked away.
“For… this.”
“This?” He repeated quietly.
I gestured vaguely toward myself.
“The breakdown.”
Something dark crossed his face.
“You think
