(Lina)
I stared at my phone for what felt like forever after Kieran left earlier. His words stuck with me, going around in circles in my head. "You don't owe him anything, Lina."
I wanted to believe him, wanted to let it sink in, but it was hard. A part of me still felt tied to Nicholas. Not in the way it used to be, but in a way I couldn't explain. His apology earlier had stirred so much inside me—anger, pity, confusion. It didn't make sense, and I hated that.
I was sitting on my bed when a knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. My chest tightened. Lately, every interaction felt like a test, like something that could change everything.
"Come in," I said.
One of the messengers stepped in. He was young, straight-backed, and formal. He handed me an envelope and waited while I opened it. My hands felt stiff as I unfolded the letter, my eyes scanning the neat handwriting.
