Heidi's eyes sting with tears. She feels a desperate need to defend herself, explain, apologize, scream… every emotion jumbled. She opens her mouth, but the words get stuck in her throat. Her body trembles. Her heart aches. She's humiliated. The shame is so profound it feels like a physical weight, holding her down and trying to bury her in the dirt.
Amias, while watching her, sees the change in her expression. He sees the hurt, the shock, the shame. His face softens again, the contempt melting away, leaving behind a profound sorrow. He reaches out a hand, but stops himself, knowing she'll only recoil.
