[Ovelia's POV]
A sudden hush fell over the dining table as my tears caught the candlelight, tracing shimmering paths down my cheeks. The clatter of cutlery ceased mid-bite, all eyes turning toward me. Before I could wipe the tears away, strong arms enveloped me—Ace's familiar scent of pine and leather wrapping around me as he pulled me against his chest. His heartbeat thundered against my ear, steady and reassuring as his large hand rubbed slow circles between my shoulder blades.
"I know these are happy tears," he murmured, his voice rough, "but every one of them feels like a brand on my heart. I can't stand to see you hurt, even when the hurt is good."
I buried my face deeper into his tunic, the fabric growing damp beneath my cheek. "I'm sorry," I choked out between shuddering breaths, my fingers clutching fistfuls of his tunic. "I can't seem to stop."
