“Hey, Xavier.”

Meret walked toward him slowly, stopping a few feet from the log of wood he sat on. “What’s up with you? I’ve been trying to reach you for days. What’s going on?”

Xavier didn’t answer at first. He just kept fiddling with his fingers, shoulders tense, head bowed like he was fighting with himself. But when he heard her voice clearly, he finally looked up.

His eyes looked tired and angry.

“I can’t believe you,” he said quietly, though the disappointment hit ...