Ken stood frozen, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief, watching as Lyse fled the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. He felt a surge of panic, a desperate urge to chase after her, to explain, to comfort her.
He took a step forward, his hand outstretched, but Bella's voice stopped him.
"Ken, wait," she said, her voice calm and firm.
He turned to her, his expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "I need to go after her," he protested, his voice strained. "I need to explain."
Bella shook her head, her eyes filled with understanding. "No, Ken," she said, her voice gentle. "You need to let her go."
"But she's in shock," Ken argued, his voice laced with desperation. "She doesn't understand."
"That's exactly why you need to let her go," Bella said, her voice firm. "She is overwhelmed, Ken. She needs time to process this, to deal with this earth shattering news that has changed her life in indescribable ways."
