168
~Elara's POV
"I know. I know it's not enough," she admitted, her voice breaking now. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, and for a moment I almost felt… nothing. Just shock. Disbelief that she could even have the audacity to kneel and call it an apology.
I straightened in my chair, forcing every ounce of control into my posture. "You don't get to decide that. You don't get to redeem yourself with a gesture. You don't get to step into my life and act as if it fixes anything. Do you understand me?"
Her shoulders slumped. "Yes… I understand," she whispered. "I… I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I've had a year to think, to live with what I've done."
