Silence lingered in the small room like a heavy veil. Cindy's gaze sank to the floor as though she could disappear into the wood, while mine remained fixed on her, watching her body shift with nervous, fidgeting movements.
Finally, I broke it. My voice came out low, carrying a careful edge.
"You need to be stabilized, Cinderella?"
Her head gave a quick shake, hair brushing her cheeks as she whispered, "T…That's fine. Elena insisted, but you're the one who's injured."
"I'm fine." My tone sharpened just slightly. "But you should tell me sooner when you need stabilizing. Waiting too long is dangerous. It's better to do it early, before it becomes a problem."
Her lips parted as though she might protest, then closed again. She nodded faintly, almost childlike. "R…right."
That tiny voice stirred something protective in me, but alongside it, a memory rose unbidden—the kiss from that morning. Sweet, sudden, and trembling with an emotion she hadn't put into words.
