My eyes widened at what he said. Desmond knew about what my parents did! The reason why his gazes were sharper and colder whenever they met mine. Did he think I was a part of it?

“I… didn’t k-know,” I uttered. “I’m sorry,” I said as my voice broke into sobs.

I had witnessed the day he found his mate’s lifeless body. Desmond didn’t shed a tear, but he carried her with an expression that could only belong to a broken man. It turned him into a monster–we turned him into this heartless monster.

“I–I’m so sorry,” I repeated. I felt like I knew his pain, like I owned it too.

“Don’t lie to me,” he growled.

The tears were blurring my vision. I couldn’t see Desmond's face, but I felt his hand against my cheek. It wasn’t cruel… It was unexpectedly gentle, and then, something snapped.

The pain was temporarily gone. The tears no longer blocked my view, and I could clearly see him. Desmond’s eyes were wide, as were mine when I felt the mate bond snap into place.