Xavier’s pov
I raised my hand to knock on Emily’s door and then lowered it again. I’d been in the hallway in front of her closed door for at least half an hour by now: four hours had passed since she’d left the foyer in front of my office in tears, and I still hadn’t been able to talk to her. Not because she didn’t want to open the door, but because of my own shame.
I hated to admit it, but… what she'd said was right. It wasn’t my call to decide what she was fit to hear or not, especially if it regarded her in such a personal way. Still, part of me wished my plan had worked, that she had heard nothing.
I have to apologize.
I took a breath, and this time, I knocked.
Now there’s no turning back.
Mere seconds later, Emily opened the door. Her face was completely blank, deadpan, b
