章 126: CHAPTER 126: Misplaced Atonement

　　Abel's apology sent a jolt through me. It was unexpected, disarming even. For a moment, I was speechless, caught off guard by the raw vulnerability in his voice, but then I realized that perhaps to him, this was his way to atone and perhaps this was the first step in his journey to seeking forgiveness after his brush with death.

　　"I…I appreciate that, Mr. Westcott," I finally managed, forcing a semblance of composure. "But you're apologizing to the wrong person."

　　"Ava isn't here," I said gently. The weight of his words, the burden of his guilt, hung heavy in the air. "And apologizing to me as a way to try to atone for what happened to her, however genuine, is misplaced, because even I need to atone for taking on this job."