"Hey," he echoed, his voice rougher, low and thick like he hadn't used it in hours.
Or maybe it was just the way her presence made him feel, like he still didn't know whether to be angry or just glad to see her.
An awkward silence settled, cool and uninviting, as if neither knew what to say next without falling apart.
"You left," he said finally, not accusingly, just… honestly.
Merlina looked away, her throat tight. "I know."
"Didn't even say goodbye," he said, his voice low. He waited for a response. She didn't give him one, looked like she was still gathering her thoughts.
"Did I mean that little to you?" he asked again, softer this time, but no less hurt.
"I needed time," she said, without looking up, her gaze fixed on the dashboard, "After everything… after what we did, what we said. I just… I didn't know how to go back to normal."
