Mission: Suncrest Heart
Anna's lips had curled into that understanding smile that mothers used to wear when they knew more than their children did. "Oh, contemplating what present to bring her, maybe? You haven't visited her in years. You can't just show up unannounced. And… well, you've hurt her countless times before, haven't you, son? Her voice relaxed, tinged with a soft melancholy, the kind that stemmed from knowledge of past missteps, the slight bitter-ness that clung to ancient regrets.
Her eyes locked on him, soft and inquiring, feeling the depth of his heart and the concern he now had for the girl he'd hardly known.".
Victor rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the faint heat of shame mix with longing. "Right. A gift… yes. I'll think of something." His voice was quiet, more to himself than to her, but it carried weight—a promise, a careful acknowledgment of what had passed and what still lingered.
