"Rory… I'm sorry…"
Vincent's voice grew quieter and quieter, carrying a faint tremor he could no longer hide.
He kept his head lowered the entire time, not daring to look into Rory's eyes, terrified he might find the same fear and disgust the others in the clan had shown him.
Rory stared at him, her heart twisting so painfully it felt hard to breathe.
Unable to hold back any longer, she suddenly yanked hard on the chain connecting them, pulling Vincent toward her before rising onto her toes and wrapping her arms tightly around him with all her strength.
"Do you not trust me?"
Her voice cracked with emotion.
"How could I ever see you as some kind of monster?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she punched his chest hard.
Then she buried her face against him and muttered in a muffled voice, "I don't care if you're red or black. You're still Vincent. You're my Vincent."
"In my eyes, the way you look now… is even more beautiful than before."
