Sera's POV
I was tucked into the corner of the small armchair, lost in the pages of one of Gideon's heavy leather-bound history books, when a gentle knock echoed against the doorframe.
"Come in," I called out softly, keeping my finger on the page.
The heavy oak door swung open, and Olivia stepped into the room, her hands tucked neatly into her pockets. She offered a small, tentative smile. "Hey."
"Hey," I replied, setting the book face-down on the side table.
Silence stretched between us for a brief second before Olivia swallowed hard. "I'm sorry about earlier, Sera. I didn't mean to push."
"No," I cut in, shaking my head as a faint blush of shame warmed my cheeks. "I'm sorry. I have so little trust in anybody that with any kindness, I automatically seek out a motive. I feel like...
