Ella.
We got to my room, and the second the door clicked shut behind us, Lurgard finally released my hands.
The warmth of his grip disappeared instantly, leaving behind a strange emptiness that I refused to acknowledge.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Lurgard scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his usual confidence nowhere to be seen. It was almost amusing watching someone like him struggle to find the right words.
"About what just happened downstairs, I hope you don't take it to heart," Lurgard said eventually.
His voice was surprisingly gentle, his eyes searched mine deeply, as if trying to determine whether I was angry, hurt, or simply pretending not to care.
I scoffed.
The sound escaped before I could stop it.
"I did not," I replied, folding my arms across my chest. "It's just that your sister is one hell of a good actor."
The memory of her performance downstairs immediately resurfaced in my mind.
