Chapter 35: Trust and Doubt

Ovelia's POV 

A sudden hush fell over the dining table as my tears caught the candlelight, tracing shimmering paths down my cheeks. The clatter of cutlery ceased mid-bite, all eyes turning toward me. Before I could wipe the tears away, strong arms enveloped me - Ace's familiar scent of pine and leather wrapping around me as he pulled me against his chest. His heartbeat thundered against my ear, steady and reassuring as his large hand rubbed slow circles between my shoulder blades.

"I know these are happy tears," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion, "but... every drop feels like a knife twisting in my chest." His embrace tightened almost imperceptibly, the way it always did when he was fighting to control his own feelings.