652: APOLOGIES

LUKE'S POV Harriet looked different in the unforgiving light, her face devoid of makeup, dark circles under her eyes. Her gaze met mine, a mixture of shame and gratitude flickering across her features. The officer guided her to a chair opposite me, watching us with a scrutinizing gaze. "You've got ten minutes," he said gruffly before retreating to a discreet distance, granting us a semblance of privacy. Harriet took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Luke, I... I don't know what to say," she began in hushed tones. "I never imagined you'd come to see me after everything I've done." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "I won't lie, Harriet. It's been difficult those times, trying to recover from the chaos you caused. But when I heard you'd turned yourself in, I knew I had to see you to try and understand why." She closed her eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I know I've caused you and Ariel so much pain. I'm not asking for forgiveness, Luk