Those words were like a key, leading to the tight hold on her hands relaxing.
White released her hands and stood after, preparing to leave.
"I'm sorry."
She said to him, and he paused.
"I guess anyone would have been mad from hearing that."
"But you know what, Nova?"
White said, turning to her.
"I truly don't trust you."
He said, and even though she already knew that, it still brought a stinging pain to her heart on hearing it.
"I try to keep you from harm. Try to make sure you're safe from any of us, but not because I promised you loyalty, nor is it because I was trying to create a good impression. I don't wish to be loved."
"It's because I told myself I would try...and not doing so will be a betrayal to myself."
White said before he turned back.
His last words echoed clearly through the valley:
"So in the end, it's safe to say...I only trust myself."
____
Nova watched him leave. Though he wasn't running, he moved fast.
