"Eileen, it was a mistake. Let's leave it at that."
The words left my mouth before I had fully processed them. I could see the hurt in Eileen's eyes, a look that stabbed at something deep inside me. I turned away, unable to bear the sight of her pain. It shouldn't matter, I told myself.
She shouldn't matter. My mission was clear, my purpose defined long before Eileen entered the picture. So why did I feel this wrenching in my chest?
I needed to leave, to put some distance between us before I said something I couldn't take back. The room felt stifling, filled with the echoes of everything we weren't saying. I turned on my heel and headed for the door, my steps quick and determined. I couldn't let myself waver.
As I exited, I nearly collided with Thalira, who was leaning casually against the wall. Her smirk was infuriatingly smug, as if she had been waiting just to see me falter.
