A faint smile curved Lav's lips.
Yet, it wasn't one of triumph or amusement—it was oddly gentle, as if hearing Vio's voice eased something she didn't know was burdening her. Her heart, trained to be cold and unyielding, seemed to thaw just slightly at his desperation.
But Lav, stubborn as ever, refused to acknowledge it. "I am sorry for vanishing like that. I thought you would be too busy to notice" she murmured, the lie slipping effortlessly from her tongue. Vio's chest tightened at her words. She did not justify her absence.
She just offered a hollow apology.
His throat ached with questions, but he swallowed them down. He should have called sooner. They'd both hesitated, afraid to intrude, and now this chasm had formed. "You don't need to apologize," he finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"At least you are safe"
