Christopher POVI looked at her for a long moment after she said it, feeling the weight of the request settle over the room, and I knew before I opened my mouth that my answer was going to change things, possibly in a way that couldn't be undone.Part of me wanted to say yes, wanted to give her the one thing she'd asked for tonight because she'd been calm and honest and she deserved some kindness after everything. But saying yes would have been another lie, and I'd just spent the last hour telling her I was done with lies.I can't do that, I said.Sophie's expression didn't change immediately, just held steady the way it did when she was processing something she hadn't expected. Then something flickered across her face, just briefly, before she pulled it back under control.You can't, she repeated.I won't, I said, because it was more honest. I won't end it Sophie, I'm sorry.She was quiet for a beat, and when she spoke her voice was measured and careful. I just asked you one thing. O
Last Updated : 2026-02-21 Read more