He smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair again. "Well, I'm glad you made it through. Seems like you've been through enough for one day."
JJ remained still, her hands gripping the edges of the table as she stared into her drink, the liquid swirling but unmoving in her mind. Her pulse quickened, and the weight of the man's words lingered. She could feel his eyes on her, watching, waiting.
"So," he began again, his tone soft but probing, "why risk everything for a boy who's destined to fall?"
Her jaw tightened, but she didn't look up. "I told you already. I did what I thought was right."
He leaned forward slightly, his glass tapping lightly on the wooden table. "And what's right? Throwing your legacy away? For what? For him?" His voice hardened on the last word, his gaze burning into her.
JJ's eyes darted up, fierce and unwavering. "You don't know him. He's... different."
