The sound of Arm's muffled sobs against his shoulder acted like a chemical catalyst, dissolving every logical argument Lina had planted in Mild's mind. In that moment, the sterile, calculated future of the Armitage legacy seemed hollow compared to the shaking, breathing reality of the man in his arms.
Mild realized that by trying to "save" Arm's future, he was actually destroying the only thing that kept Arm human.
Mild pulled back just enough to cupped Arm's face, forcing the billionaire to look at him. Arm's eyes were bloodshot, his lashes damp, his usual mask of icy indifference completely shattered.
"Arm, listen to me," Mild whispered, his voice gaining a strength it hadn't possessed all day. "I was wrong. I was thinking about what 'the world' wants, and I forgot to ask what we want."
Arm's breath hitched. "Mild..."
