Before Sylas could even process what he had just heard, Carlisle continued speaking.
"The worst part was..." He stopped briefly, his expression tightening. "She was already pregnant when I found her."
His voice came out lower this time, rough with something that sounded painfully close to pity.
"I was horrified."
Carlisle looked away for a moment, like the memory itself was difficult to face.
"She never told me who the father was. Every time I asked, she shut down completely. I tried asking how long she’d been trapped there too, but she avoided that question just as much." His jaw tightened harder. "And when I pushed for answers... she didn’t even argue with my assumptions."
A bitter look crossed his face.
"She just laughed."
Sylas frowned slightly.
Carlisle let out a slow breath
