Roseline watched her carefully, noticing the shift in her expression, the tightening of her jaw, the storm brewing behind her calm exterior.
"That day," Roseline continued softly, "I didn't just decide to save you. I decided to end everything."
She paused, as if choosing her next words with care.
"I made sure Collin was put behind bars."
Anna's eyes flickered slightly.
Roseline exhaled slowly.
"I couldn't let him walk free after what he had done. Not after he threatened you. Not after everything he had destroyed."
Her fingers rested against the table, steady but tense.
"It was because of Hugo that everything happened," she admitted.
Anna frowned faintly but remained silent.
Roseline continued.
"Hugo was the one who helped me," she said. "He had influence. Power. He made sure Collin was arrested. He made sure he couldn't come near us again."
She lowered her gaze briefly.
"But nothing comes without a price."
Anna's eyes sharpened.
Roseline looked back at her.
