“Why are you doing this to me?” His voice came out in a broken rasp, his larger hand enclosing her cold, delicate fingers as though he could will warmth back into them.

“Is this your punishment for me?” A bitter laugh slipped past his lips, tinged with sorrow. “Now I see why you were furious that night when instead of confessing what I truly felt, I drowned it in foolish words.” His thumb traced small circles over her knuckles, the gesture trembling with unspoken regret.

“You ...