He fidgeted with his hands on his lap, his voice soft and uncertain. "I didn't do anything… so why don't you hate me anymore?"
Sylas was the first one to respond, he quickly reaching out to take Rocco's restless hands in his own.
He gently stroked them, a soothing motion, while meeting Rocco's eyes with unwavering sincerity.
"That's right," Sylas said, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "You did nothing wrong, Rocco. Nothing at all. It was me—I was the one who hated you for no reason, and then I was the one who turned that hatred into love."
Rocco hesitated, glancing up at Sylas.
His expression was serious, without a hint of deceit.
For someone as proud as Sylas, to admit to "turning his hand" like that must have taken immense courage and determination.
Those words alone felt like proof that everything Sylas said was true.