A low chuckle escaped Lorenzo's throat, thick with irony, making the already tense atmosphere even more awkward.
"You wanted me to stay away from you," he said, his voice steady. "...And I did."
Ashley fumbled with her fingers, avoiding his gaze. Guilt weighed heavily on her—she still regretted the harsh words she'd thrown at him that day, words fueled by anger, pain and frustration. She had spoken without thinking, driven purely by emotion.
And now she was here, seeking the very help she had once rejected. It made her feel foolish. Desperation had driven her, but even now, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that she'd willingly walked into the devil's lair.
"I'm sorry for how I spoke to you... I shouldn't have said those things," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her heart raced as she waited for Lorenzo's response. When he remained silent, she pressed on, "I was upset. I felt vulnerable."
It took everything in her to swallow her pride.
