Chapter Twenty One

“Necessary?” Furina repeated, incredulous. “How could something like that ever be necessary?” She broke off, unable to continue as the weight of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Diluc reached out, his hand hovering just inches from her arm, but Furina pulled back, not wanting to be comforted by the very person who had caused her so much pain.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Diluc said, his voice softening ever so slightly. “I didn’t intend for anyone to get hurt,” he whispered and Furina wasn’t sure if he was trying to tell himself or her.

As if she hadn’t heard him, she asked, “What exactly did you do? Was my father’s accident also your doing?” She needed to know how far had he been involved in this.

“Furina,” Diluc said quietly, his voice almost gentle, “Let’s not go there.”

“Why?”

Diluc sighed as if explaining something painfully obvious. “Look. It’s very simple. You needed help, and I provided it. But more importantly, I needed you. Our marriage was never just ab