Forgiveness?
As if a dam deep within her had burst, a surge of long-buried anger coursed under her skin. She took a deep breath, trying to make sense of her reaction, and only let it out when she found her answer.
The Pearl Wing seemed frozen in time, but she had continued living and evolving over the years they spent apart. Simply asking for a shortcut to forgiveness struck her as typical of this arrogant man, but it fell far short of what she needed.
It isn't sufficient.
"...If this is an apology, My Lord, could you kindly clarify what you're apologizing for?"
In his eyes and on the lines of his face, she only saw the expression of a sincere man seeking reconciliation.
"I need you to understand..." He paused, clenched his teeth a few times, and then swallowed audibly as he rephrased his thoughts, "...My greatest regret is not fostering the conditions for you to confide in me."
