Seraphina didn't sit back down. She just stood by the doorway, arms folded behind her back.
Her posture was relaxed, yet still precise, as if every inch of her body was attuned to control. She wasn't tense, but there was nothing casual about her either.
"You should've told us sooner," she said softly.
Ethan looked up at her, eyes calm, his voice even.
"I didn't know what to say."
Seraphina didn't raise her voice. She didn't sigh or scoff. She just stared at him a little longer.
"That's not an excuse."
"I know."
He didn't try to explain. He didn't try to argue. He just accepted it.
But Seraphina's voice didn't harden. If anything, it grew steadier—almost warm.
"You handled it better than most would've."
Ethan gave a small nod. Nothing dramatic. Just acknowledgment. He wasn't looking for praise, and she wasn't giving it for show.
