Caelen decided then, In the suffocating quiet of the room, to have the conversation they had both been dodging like a blade.
Ophelia climbed into the bed, settling into the silk sheets and instinctively stroking the slight swell of her stomach, her eyes closing as if she could force the world to go dark.
"I'm sorry," Caelen said suddenly. The words were quiet, but they hit the room with the force of a thunderclap.
Ophelia froze, her hand stilling on her abdomen. She knew exactly what he meant.
She understood the subtext of every sigh he'd exhaled since they arrived in Nevareth.
But she chose to perform her role to the bitter end. "What do you mean, Caelen? It's late. Let's just rest."
"I've been cruel to you," he continued, ignoring her plea for silence. "I've been unfaithful, Ophelia. Not in body, perhaps, but I have been unfaithful to the promise of us. I have lied to you. Over and over. I've been dishonest about… everything."
