Thorian remained still for a moment, clearly caught off guard. There was confusion in his eyes—perhaps even disbelief. It might have been the first time he had seen me walk away without anger, without shouting, without breaking down in front of him and Selindra.
I left the estate grounds in silence, each step intentional, measured.
Not long after, his voice returned through the private line—quieter this time, almost cautious.
“So this is about Ashley?” he asked. “Because I didn’t pick her up myself? Is that why you’re still holding on to this? Isn’t this… a bit excessive?”
He had made the mistake, yet somehow, I was the one expected to carry the burden of it.
“Yes,” I answered flatly, my tone distant and stripped of emotion. “Everything is my fault.”
That seemed to unsettle him.
There was a pause—then his voice shifted. Softer now. Less commanding. Almost… apologetic.
“Selindra was in no state to be left alone,” he explained. “Danny’s death hit her hard. I was worried she might fall apart, so I went to her immediately. Ashley… is she upset with me? I’ll make it up to her when I get back. She’s a good girl. She’ll forgive me, won’t she?”