Chapter 11

• I was leaning on his shoulder, feeling his warmth and soothing words for what seemed like endless hours. I discovered that the tears now wetting my cheeks were actually from embarrassment at someone seeing me in this state, someone who was my boss and had to hug me to keep me calm. I pulled away from Bornout's warmth and he wiped my cheeks with clumsy movements as I took a deep breath.
• "I'm sorry you had to witness this, sir," I murmured, my voice sounding apologetic and broken.
• "I don't understand why you should apologize," he said firmly.