"You need it," he replied calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"I don't want it!" she snapped, her voice rising louder than she intended.
Lucius froze mid-step. His breath hitched sharply, his jaw tightening as he blinked rapidly.
For a moment it looked like he was in pain.
Jean noticed the sudden change and immediately stilled, her heart pounding. "Are you… okay?" she asked, her voice softer now.
"Don't yell," he murmured, his voice barely audible. He swallowed hard, his expression distant, as though something was pulling him into a memory he didn't want to relive.
Jean's chest tightened with guilt. Had she hurt him? She felt torn between wanting to apologize and the gnawing fear that something about her voice had triggered this reaction.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling.
His dark eyes flicked to hers, and something in them softened. "Don't apologize," he said, his tone quiet but resolute.