"Can I hug you?" Jasmine asked expectantly, her voice small and hopeful, her arms already beginning to open.
But Corvine shook his head and responded with a firm, "No." Though his voice and gaze weren't as cold as before, a small mercy that Jasmine clung to desperately.
"I told you before that I didn't trust you. And you messed up before I could even give you the chance. Now, we're starting all over again. From scratch."
Jasmine swallowed her pain, the ache in her chest sharp and undeniable. But she nodded, accepting his terms. "I deserve it." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried genuine acceptance.
Corvine was glad she owned up to her mistakes, that she wasn't making excuses or trying to swing the blame. A genuine smile finally crossed his face, softening his features. He called out, "Liah."
