Chapter 2191

Realizing there was no way out, Nicholas let his shoulders slump and brought his steps to a halt.

Without turning around, he murmured, “I’m fine.” The words sounded fragile, almost weightless, as though they might disappear before reaching her.

“Then why do you look like this?” Jocelyn asked, the question slipping out before she could stop herself.

Nicholas inhaled slowly, then turned to face her. His eyes, dark as midnight, locked onto hers. “Why ask?” he said quietly, his voice rough with something deeper than pain. “Do you pity me?”

Jocelyn shook her head so fast her earrings caught the light. “That’s not what I meant at all.”

She was still searching for softer words when hurried footsteps echoed against the stone floor. Yannick suddenly appeared.

“Jocelyn, are you done already?”