"I don't understand," Kasteil said. His brow was furrowed, confusion etched into his features. His voice was low, calm, almost gentle. He stood in the hallway with his hands at his sides, not moving toward me, not raising his voice. The afternoon light from the window behind him cast half his face in shadow, but I could see the confusion in his eyes. He looked genuinely lost, like he couldn't comprehend why I was so upset.
"Oh, you don't understand? Really?" I said, anger dripping from my voice. My voice was loud, too loud for the quiet house. My hands were shaking now. I couldn't control it anymore. The week of silence, the months of rumors, the way Roma had pushed past me like I was nothing—it all came rushing out. I could feel the heat in my face, the tension in my shoulders. My chest was tight. My throat felt raw.
