"Why are you following me?" Olivia threw the words over her shoulder without breaking her stride.
"I wish to speak with you. Stop for a moment, Olivia." His voice carried a weight she hadn't heard before.
She halted abruptly, spinning toward him with a gaze as sharp as a blade. "Speak? Have we not exhausted every futile argument already?"
"Olivia..." He uttered her name with a plea that made her go still.
She let out a sharp exhale, studying his face. "Are you truly serious? Fine. Follow me."
The tension preceded them into her chambers. Olivia stepped aside, folding her arms over her chest with cold fortification, and fixed him with a glacial stare. "Well? What has brought you here? I am in no mood for another verbal skirmish."
A brief silence followed before he broke it with two words she never expected to hear from him. "I'm sorry."
Olivia froze. She turned slowly, as if re-evaluating the very air in the room. "You're sorry? Truly?"
