For a brief moment after her question, the room seemed to hold its breath.
Cain looked at her.
He saw everything clearly.
The faint redness in her eyes from crying, the stubborn strength in the way she stood even after exposing her heart, the warmth in her gaze that did not hide or hesitate anymore. She had crossed a line that most people would never dare to cross, and she did it without pulling back, without trying to protect herself.
And yet—
There was nothing.
No pull.
No warmth.
No reaction.
"…What is this?"
The thought came slowly, almost confused.
He had faced death countless times.
He had felt rage, hunger, satisfaction, even amusement.
But now—
Standing in front of someone who clearly cared for him this much—
He felt nothing.
Not even discomfort.
Not even awkwardness.
Just… emptiness.
His chest felt hollow, like something that should be there had been taken out long ago without him noticing.
Pam was still looking at him.
Waiting.
