Cael just shook his head in disappointment.
He did not recognise the person standing in front of him anymore. He remembered a different Bella. A cheerful Bella from their childhood. An innocent Bella who had tried to play with him even when he was not interested in playing with anyone.
That Bella was gone.
The person in the dungeon now was someone else entirely. A monster wearing a familiar face. Someone consumed by obsession and anger, and the kind of jealousy that made people do terrible things.
Cael did not know when she had changed. He did not know how to fix it. He did not think it was fixable anymore.
"I've said my piece," he said.
He turned to leave.
"Don't go!" Bella yelled behind him. "Don't leave me here, Cael! Take me out of this dark cave! Cael!!!"
Her voice followed him through the dungeon as he walked out.
He did not look back.
Outside, Cael stared at the guards standing at the entrance.
