Chapter 77

• Rose’s POV
• Before Tristan could open his mouth—his lips already parting as though he had rehearsed something desperate and awkward in his head—I beat him to it. Words tumbled from me, clumsy but earnest, before fear could knot them inside my throat.
• “I missed you,” I confessed, the words carrying more weight than I’d realized. My voice wavered, a mix of apology and plea. “I know I hurt you, Tristan. I should have told you about Kavian, about that night at the Moon Festival. It was stupid of me to hide things from you when I know—when I’ve always known—that I can trust you. That I can count on you.” My breath hitched, guilt and sincerity tangling together. “You’re my best friend, Tristan. I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose you. That’s why I’m here… to apologize.”