Her face didn’t change, but her grip tightened just slightly.
“I’m also sorry,” I added, “that everything happened the way it did. None of it should’ve reached you like that.”
She didn’t speak right away.
When she did, her voice was soft… calm.
“I believe you,” she said.
The words settled deep in my chest.
“And,” she went on after a pause, her gaze dropping briefly, “I realize that I overreacted. It was my fault. I—”
I lifted my finger and pressed it gently to her lips before she could finish.
“No,” I said firmly.
She stilled.
“I’m not letting you do that again,” I continued, my voice low. “I’m not going to let you tear yourself apart trying to carry blame that isn’t yours.”
Her eyes searched mine for a second, then softened.
She smiled… relieved.
She nodded once.
I stood, st
