The words felt wrong on Rose’s tongue, and yet they lingered in the air, sharp enough to make Ludo take an uncertain step back, eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
The man didn’t utter a word, not to tell her she was insane, and not to question her either. Instead, he looked at Rose’s mom, the weight of his gaze making the latter uncomfortable.
Rose wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. This wasn’t a situation she wished on her enemy, if she ever had one. The awkwardness that choked her, the shame gnawing at her insides, and the longing – that damned longing – she could never really let go of… everything made the situation confusing and downright infuriating.
Rose didn’t get to breathe a word before her mom let out, “You look different.”
The words were slightly sl
