Elowen's POV
When I opened my apartment door the next morning, ready to head to work, the cold morning light washed over the threshold—only to illuminate a figure standing rigidly in the hallway.
Julian.
He looked like he hadn't slept a single wink. His collar was loosely undone, his eyes bloodshot, and tucked under his arm was a massive bouquet of fresh, delicate flowers.
"Elowen," he spoke quickly, taking a desperate step forward before I could shut the door in his face. He held the flowers out like a peace offering. "I came to apologize for last night. My mother had no right to act that way, and I... I couldn't sleep thinking about it."
I looked down at the bright petals, then up into his frantic eyes. A faint, bitter smile touched my lips.
"It's funny, Julian," I said, my voice c
