"Apologize."
Ryan Ford's tone was harsh and crisp, his voice cold to the bone like a biting wind in the dead of winter.
Richard Carter had always respected Ryan; at the sound, his eyelids twitched, and he turned back nervously. "Captain Ford—"
Without listening to his explanation, Ryan's face stayed frosty as he enunciated, "Apologize."
"..."
Richard hesitated for a long moment.
"I'm sorry, I was too extreme in my words and actions." Taking a deep breath, Richard lowered his head, suppressing his resentment and grievance, and said through gritted teeth, "Please, Miss Scott, don't take it to heart."
Nora Scott smiled. "Okay, but I don't accept it."
With an apology this reluctant and half‑assed, whoever wants to accept it can accept it. She sure doesn't.
"What exactly do you want?!" Richard demanded. Maybe he felt too wronged, because his eyes actually turned red.
Nora was stunned by the pitiful grievance in his gaze.
What the fuck?
