Ruediger rested his chin on Lariette's shoulder. He whispered, guilt heavy in his voice, "I'm sorry, Lettie. I should've been here. I shouldn't have let you meet him alone."
Everything came so suddenly. Before Ruediger could register everything about Mr. Eastwood as told by Declan, Lariette had a private meeting with the man himself.
"N-no... It's not your fault," she struggled for air, her fingers clutching his back, "I thought... I'd meet him as a former colleague... But... He tricked me. All this time... he has deceived us."
It was neither her nor his fault. None of them had anticipated this kind of deceit to come from someone they trusted.
Ruediger pulled back slightly. He brushed a damp strand of hair from Lariette's face.
His voice was low and steady, but grief shadowed his eyes, "It was his choice to deceive you. It's not your fault."
