"Before Janet…" he said, his tone turning darker, "I actually tried to end my life."
Martha's breath caught."But every time… something stopped me."
He looked at her, his eyes distant.
"News about my missing sister… or something about my parents…"
He exhaled slowly.
"It was like fate wouldn't let me give up."
Then, his expression softened as he looked directly at her. "I'm sorry."
His voice carried no hesitation this time.
"I'm genuinely sorry for finding a substitute. I won't dress it up as something noble."
He lowered his gaze. "I was wrong."
A brief pause. "And if I get the chance… I want to fix it."
Martha took a slow, steady breath, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"If you two were a couple…" she began, her tone sharp and probing, "did you ever sleep with her?"
The question cut through the air like a blade.
Kael shook his head immediately, letting out a small, awkward chuckle.
