Before she could fumble out an explanation, Apollo let out a soft chuckle, the tension easing from his expression. He poured a glass of hibiscus rose tea and handed it to her. "Here, drink some," he said gently, his voice warm as his hand came up to lightly pat her back.
The simple gesture made Ashley feel oddly like a child being comforted by her older brother, yet instead of embarrassment, a quiet warmth spread through her chest.
For the first time in a long while, she realized that this feeling, being cared for, being fussed over, wasn't so bad after all.
After talking everything out, the atmosphere between Apollo and Ashley gradually became lighter, and the distance between them slowly fading away. Even Aunt Lavinia, who remained nearby, occasionally joined the conversation, smiling as she shared stories from the brothers' childhood.
