For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Vessara could hear the ticking of the antique clock mounted on the wall.
The sound seemed impossibly loud.
"I graduate in a few months." The words escaped before she could stop them.
Leander lowered himself into his chair. "It changes nothing."
"It does."
He didn't respond.
Vessara took a step forward. "I have projects lined up to be done. My professors recommended me for a few jobs. And I have also submitted my applications to a few architectural firms."
"It changes nothing either," Leander said.
Vessara stared at him. Her fingers curled against her palms. "You can't just erase my life." She mumbled.
"The deal is done."
The casual finality in his voice made her chest tighten. He wasn't listening. He wasn't even arguing. Arguments required consideration. It required the possibility of changing one's mind.
This wasn't that. This felt like a notification about a transaction that had already been completed.
