[ There's an involuntary wince. Her biggest goal every day had been trying to push all the stuff with the mares out of her mind. Any reminder of it reset her progress. Her brows come together as she takes another sip. ]

As much as anyone can make it out of that mess. [ She blows out a breath. She might need something stronger than books to get back on track with forgetting now. ] I guess you didn't go to the hospital and all...

[ Because she'd definitely looked for him. Hoped for him. Trauma had a way of creating deep bonds! Or leading to situations like this, where they can't seem to speak more than a few words at a time to each other.

And then, yep. Confirmation she'll need something stronger. Because what? She almost mirrors him and spits out the coffee she'd been drinking, but she manages to choke it down. ]

Did I what?

[ Her eyes flicker this way and that as she thinks on that more. Then...she just sighs. Suddenly, a lot makes sense. How else would they go from reconnecting (somewhat) on the island then somehow back to radio silence? So many times, she'd been tempted to recreate the moment early in their relationship where he accused her of ghosting. A lot held her back, though.

There's a weary sort of resignation in her expression as she sighs again and rubs a hand over her face. With that, the mask of normalcy seems to slip, and she appears just as exhausted as him. Keeping up the charade of being okay wasn't something she could manage anymore. ]

I talked to him at that ball back at Mammon's place. I didn't mean to tell him what happened. It honestly slipped out. [ Her head shakes a little before she leans back in the chair to stare up at the ceiling. ] I told him not to do anything. I...was afraid he'd try to hurt you.

[ He gets a glance before she presses her eyes shut tightly. ] He didn't...did he? I haven't really talked to him much since then.