Killian's POV
The quiet hung heavy between us until Vivienne's deep exhale crackled through the phone. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, disappointment threading through her tone. "Your happiness means more to me than any of that nonsense."
"The promises I made to you come before my happiness," I said, conviction hardening my voice as I shook my head despite knowing she couldn't see me. "You gave up everything for me, Vivienne. Honoring your wishes and allowing your daughter to choose me as her mate is the bare minimum I owe you."
Vivienne made a quiet noise of understanding. Heavy silence descended again before she continued.
"Are the rejection symptoms bothering you?" Her voice softened with concern.
"Sometimes," I confessed, my throat constricting. The reality was far worse—it was constant agony. Whenever I got close to Lyra, pain sliced through my chest like a dagger finding its target. "But I'm managing well enough."
