Lavinia hadn’t left.

She stood a few paces away, still as a statue, watching the flames burn themselves out. Her coat was torn. The firelight no longer kissed her like an ally—it recoiled, as if even it was beginning to question her choices.

She stepped closer, slow, giving Sylivia time to object. When none came, she crouched in front of her, a careful mirror of the wreckage she’d caused.

“I didn’t come here for you,” Lavinia admitted. “But when I saw your name on the ledger… when I realized what they were planning… it changed everything.”

Sylivia studied her face. “Do you feel guilty? Or is this just strategy to you?”

Lavinia didn’t blink. “Both.”

Sylivia looked away, throat tight.

“I won’t forgive you,” she whispered.

“I’m not asking for that,” Lavinia said. “I just want you alive.”

She rose, gently, as if standing too fast might break the moment. 

Sylivia didn’t move.

Lavinia turned to leave.

“Wait.”

The word was barely audible, but Lavinia froze.

“Why me?”

She hated how Vulnerable it sounded.And still, she asked, 

Lavinia turned,

Her gaze flickered—pain, guilt, something older and more fragile.

Sylivia’s voice broke the silence like a blade dragged across glass.

“Take me with you.”

Lavinia had already turned, her silhouette sharp against the dying flames. She stopped mid-step, tension rippling through her shoulders.

“No,” she said flatly, not looking back.

Sylivia took a shaky step forward, fists clenched at her sides. “You said I’d understand. So let me.”

“I watched you burn my life to the ground,” Sylivia said, her voice rising. “I deserve to know why.”

Lavinia finally turned.

Her eyes were dark, unreadable. “You don’t deserve anything from me.”

Sylivia flinched—but didn’t back down. “Then why are you still here?”

Silence. Tighter now.

A flicker of something crossed Lavinia’s face—anger, or pain disguised as it.

She stepped forward suddenly, fast, like she might grab Sylivia by the throat—or kiss her. The tension between them snapped taut as wire.

“Don’t mistake mercy for softness,” Lavinia growled. “I didn’t spare you out of kindness.”

“Then why?” Sylivia shot back, Lavinia’s eyes widened, just a fraction.

Sylivia took another step, now almost nose-to-nose with her.

“ was it because you saw something you couldn’t burn?”

Lavinia stared at her, jaw clenched so tightly the muscles jumped beneath her skin. The fire behind them cast flickering shadows on her face, but it couldn’t hide the storm in her eyes.