Chapter 54 Fractured Promises

• "I can’t give you what you want," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with emotion. "The burden I carry... it’s far bigger than I ever imagined. It’s heavy, Antonius. Too heavy."
• He didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. Instead, he stepped even closer, his hands still holding hers, steadying her as if he were her anchor. His dark eyes softened, and for a moment, the impenetrable mask he always wore slipped.
• "I don’t care," he said quietly, his voice firm yet gentle.