Orion’s POV
When the door clicked shut behind her, the sound echoed a little too sharply in the quiet room. I told myself that the tightness in my chest was irritation—nothing more. Not guilt. Not regret. And definitely not the stupid, useless feeling that used to show up whenever she cried.
But as she walked away, shoulders hunched, steps a little too fast… something twisted in me.
I ignored it.
Or pretended to.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the empty space where she had been standing just seconds ago. I thought I would feel triumphant watching her scramble around for my approval. I thought I’d enjoy seeing her flinch at my tone, hesitate under my gaze, fall apart the way she had left me to fall apart years ago.
Except… I didn’t.
There was no victory in it.
Just a strang
