Those icy, merciless words crushed the very last ember of warmth in Adrian's heart. The unbearable agony in his chest felt enough to tear his ribs apart.
He stared at Lila for a long, quiet moment, and then a low, soundless laugh escaped his lips.
There was no joy in that smile—only a vast, desolate void that made Lila's eyes prickle with an unfamiliar sting.
"You're right," he whispered.
Slowly, he pushed himself up from his knees. Without another look at Lila, he turned and walked out of the villa's courtyard.
Lila's gaze remained locked on his frail, gaunt silhouette until it nearly dissolved into the swirling blizzard. A sharp, inexplicable panic flared in her chest. She instinctively took a step forward to pursue him.
"Miss Sterling." Dorian's gentle voice called out from behind
