"I'm sorry…" Sara said, her voice barely above a whisper, the words heavy with an unspoken weight as they hung in the air.
Aeri, standing near the door in her shimmering light blue dress, froze mid-step, her hand lingering on the doorknob. Her eyes widened slightly as she turned, catching Sara's reflection in the mirror from across the room.
"What are you apologizing for?" she asked, an awkward smile tugging at her lips as she tilted her head, confusion knitting her brow. "Sara, what's going on?"
Sara's gaze dropped to her gloves, her fingers twisting the fabric as she managed a soft, uncertain smile.
"I don't know… just felt like saying it," she said, her voice light but trembling at the edges. She lifted her eyes, meeting Aeri's reflection, and her expression softened further, a hint of guilt creeping into her features. "You've always been with me, Aeri, and… I've troubled you so much with my recklessness. All these years, I've been a mess, haven't I?"
