Page 115 of King of Ruin

She paused, her eyes lowering briefly.

"I don't want to just leave him behind as if those things never happened."

Astrid's expression slowly changed as she listened.

She had been expecting excuses.

Instead, Elise was speaking about Xavier with the kind of calm affection someone had for a person they still cared about, even when they knew they couldn't stay.

"I've never had a relationship before," Elise continued quietly. "I wanted that with Xavier."

Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

"I wanted him to be my first love. I wanted to marry him. I wanted to be his wife."

The sadness in her eyes was there for only a moment before she composed herself again.

"But if he doesn't want that with me, then I won't force him."

She lifted her gaze toward Astrid.

"I won't stay somewhere I'm not wanted."

The room became quiet.

Astrid didn't know what to say. The woman in front of her wasn't fighting. She wasn't accusing her. She wasn't trying to make her feel guilty.

And somehow, that made Astrid feel worse.

A complicated expression appeared on her face as she looked away, her lips pressing together. The guilt that surfaced on her features seemed to irritate her because she clearly wasn't used to feeling it.

"Oh my God..."

She let out a breath and rubbed her forehead, looking genuinely troubled.

She sank back into the chair, her earlier confidence disappearing completely as she stared down at her hands.

"Jesus Christ..."

A frustrated sigh escaped her.

"I'm so selfish."

After a moment, she looked back at Elise, and for once there was no arrogance in her expression.

"I'm the one who came into this house with Xavier." Her voice became quieter. "I'm the one who showed up and..."

She hesitated, her fingers curling slightly against her palm.

"...messed up your life."

Elise simply smiled.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said softly. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Astrid looked back at her, surprised by how calm she sounded.

Elise lowered her gaze briefly before continuing, her voice quiet but sincere.