~Alistair's POV~
"You did nothing wrong, Alis," he said quietly, a trace of pain flickering in his eyes. "Maybe I would have done worse if I were in your place. But I need this. I need time to sort things out in my head. So for now… go."
I nodded, though the ache in my chest made it hard to breathe.
I opened the door and stepped out into the cold night air, the sound of the car door closing behind me feeling like the end of a chapter I wasn't ready to finish.
The driver followed behind me, carrying my bags with slow, heavy steps. I stood in front of my parents' house for a long moment, swallowing the lump in my throat as I forced my expression to steady. Then, gathering what little courage I had left, I raised my hand and knocked on the door.
When the door opened, my mother stood there, her eyes widening in surprise. I quickly forced a bright, practiced smile onto my face.
"Surprise!" I said lightly, though even to my own ears, my voice sounded thin.
