Chapter 597: Where Laughter Takes Shape
Annabeth stared at him.
"…That's not what I meant."
"I know," he said with a smile.
Her lips pressed together.
She hesitated, then tried again.
"I'm sure you have people to celebrate with," she said. "Friends, family."
Ronan hummed thoughtfully.
"I do."
That was all he said. Annabeth felt something suspiciously close to irritation.
"…And yet you're here," she said, gesturing at him.
Ronan's gaze didn't leave her.
"True, and that's because I want to be here."
The simplicity of it made her pause.
He didn't look uncertain. He didn't even look like he was joking, and she was almost certain he had to be joking.
Annabeth shifted slightly.
"That doesn't make sense," she muttered.
Ronan chuckled softly.
"It does to me."
Ronan exhaled slowly, his expression softening just a fraction.
"My sister-in-law is the person I'm most proud of today," he said.
Annabeth blinked, caught slightly off guard by the shift.
