Chapter 99 Eyes That Shouldn't Linger: Part Two

• Anastasiya’s face softens with something like regret. “I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “That wasn’t… I shouldn’t have said anything.” Her fingers trace the rim of her teacup, a gesture that seems almost nervous. “Sometimes I forget my place. I should know better.”
• Something in her tone makes me look at her more carefully. The perfect posture, the carefully arranged features—it all seems more like armor now than grace. Like she’s protecting something fragile beneath all the poise.
• “Your place?” I echo, curious despite myself.