— CASSIAN
She was still looking at it.
The file.
Her father's file.
Even as we moved through the tunnel, even as danger pressed close, she kept glancing back at the chamber where I'd left it.
"We need to keep moving," I said.
"I want to see the rest."
"No."
"Cassian—"
"I said no."
"It's my father! I have a right to know!"
"You know enough."
"I know he worked for you. I know he died trying to leave. What else is there?"
Everything.
Details she didn't need. Couldn't handle.
Things that would break her worse than she was already broken.
"Nothing that matters," I said.
"Liar."
She was right.
I was lying.
But some lies were merciful.
We reached a junction. Three tunnels branching off into darkness.
I chose the middle one. Led us deeper.
Away from the house. Away from the
