Alaric found her by the old stone bridge. Sofia was leaning against the cold railing, staring down at the rushing water. When she heard his footsteps, she didn't turn around; she simply looked away, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. Alaric stopped a few feet behind her. The air was cool, and for a moment, the only sound was the wind in the trees.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't awkward—it was heavy.
"I am always intense when it comes to Serena," he began, his voice low and thick. "She is my whole world, and the thought of losing her... it makes me lose my mind. I stop seeing clearly."
Sofia remained silent, her back still to him.
"She told me why she was hiding," Alaric continued. "She told me what Genevieve said to her. You weren't trying to hurt me, Sofia. You were protecting my daughter from a woman I should have seen through a long time ago. You did the right thing, and I screamed at you for it. I am so sorry."
