The thought of buying flowers lingered in Lance's mind, refusing to leave. He tried to push it away, but it wouldn't fade. He couldn't believe he was even considering it. If he was going to buy flowers, they should be for Virginia. So why was he thinking about Addison? No, it can't be. Was it possible that Addison had a hold on him? Lance's gaze darkened. His fingers tightened at his sides, the tension mirroring the turmoil in his thoughts. "Lance, I'm over here!" Virginia waved her hand from across the aisle, trying to get his attention. But Lance seemed oblivious, lost in his own world. No matter how loudly she called or how much she waved, it was like he couldn't see her. Slowly, Virginia's hand dropped. The spark of excitement in her eyes faded.Not even the most enthusiastic person could warm a heart of stone. Her expression hardened, and she narrowed her eyes, studying him. Her gut told her he was thinking about someone else. It didn't take a genius to guess who that was. It was Addison. Virginia clenched her jaw. She couldn't understand how Addison could have such an effect on Lance. What was it about her? Her teeth ground together. Across the aisle, Lance furrowed his brow, clearly deep in thought. Virginia mirrored his frown, her face tightening with frustration. The jealousy was suffocating, and without thinking, she bit down on her lip. The taste of blood filled her mouth, sharp and sudden, the pain distracting her for a moment. Only when the pain subsided did she start to regain her senses.That hurt ... she thought quietly to herself. But she knew if she didn't act soon, things would only get worse. She had to get rid of Addison. Who knew what more pain would come her way? She might even lose more than she already had—it could cost her another leg. With those thoughts weighing on her, Virginia suddenly felt dizzy. She lowered her head and rummaged through her bag for a tissue and a mirror. She grabbed the tissue, eager to wipe the blood from her mouth. She had to keep up the perfect image. But just as the tissue touched her lips, she froze. She reconsidered, then made a different choice. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to leave the blood there for just a while longer. Looking in the mirror, her eyes seemed to hold something secret, and her lips, stained with red, stood out even more against the contrast. A drop of bright red blood clung to her lip, making her seem more fragile than usual. Virginia felt a strange sympathy for herself, as if she were witnessing something she couldn't control. She chose not to wipe it away. Instead, she placed the tissue and mirror back in her bag and took a deep breath, steadying herself. She had to approach him. She knew she couldn't just stand by. If Lance wasn't going to make the first move, then she would. Someone had to take the initiative. And if Lance's thoughts were leaning toward Addison, then she would pull him back. "Lance ... are you feeling okay? Why are you standing there? I've been calling your name, and you didn't even hear me." Virginia walked over and placed a hand lightly on Lance's arm, her voice soft and coaxing. The unexpected contact snapped Lance out of his thoughts. He stiffened, flustered, and quickly said, "Sorry, Virginia ... " He looked at her, unsure of why an apology had slipped out."Sorry?" Virginia blinked, confusion flashing in her eyes. "Why the apology, Lance?" She appeared genuinely curious, her face open and innocent. Lance froze, unsure of what to say. "I ... " A wave of guilt washed over him. He regretted how he felt, torn between Virginia and the pull of Addison. In short, he was sorry for letting himself get lost in thoughts of someone who wasn't even supposed to matter. He didn't know if it was love, but he was certain that his actions earlier had crossed a line. It wasn't fair to Virginia. "Sorry," Lance muttered again. The words seemed to echo both to Virginia and to himself. Virginia noticed the deep seriousness in his expression. It was unlike anything she had seen before. It took her by surprise.Lance had never said sorry, not to anyone. He had always been the golden boy, the one everyone admired, standing high above everyone else in his world. He had always been untouchable. Virginia had never imagined he would say those words to her. Apology was something unfathomable for people like him. Even when they were close, when they were happy together, he had never apologized. But now, he was doing something unimaginable. And not just once. He had said it twice, and it was all tied to Addison. Virginia's mind reeled. The irony hit her hard. So, he could apologize. Just not to her. It stung. A bitter laugh rose in her chest, but she kept her face neutral, hiding everything behind a mask of innocence. She inhaled deeply, striving to regain her composure. Then, with gentle determination, she interrupted Lance. "You don't have to apologize to me, Lance. "If anyone needs to apologize, it's me," she added with a light chuckle. "Was the trip that tiring? You must be wiped out from all that traveling ... I should've thought twice before asking you to come. "I'm really sorry about this." Virginia lowered her gaze, absently twisting a strand of her hair. She looked like she was beating herself up. Lance's guilt only deepened as he watched her. It felt as though something was choking him. He had left Virginia behind during the conference, his focus entirely on Addison, leaving Virginia alone in an unfamiliar place. Virginia didn't seem angry, though. If anything, she appeared to think she was the one in the wrong. The apology he had given a moment ago seemed to lodge in his throat, and now, he couldn't bring himself to say it again. He shook his head and changed the topic. "I'm not tired. "Let's just get in the car. We'll head home." Virginia's concern lingered in her eyes. "Lance, are you sure? Why don't we stay in Preigh for the night? We can head home tomorrow." She sounded like she was only looking out for his well-being. Lance opened his mouth to decline, but Virginia continued. "Driving late isn't safe ... What if we run into something bad?" Her concern made him pause. It was clear she truly cared. After a moment, he nodded. "Yeah, you have a point." He opened the passenger door for her, then stepped aside as she climbed in. The car started moving without delay. For the next 20 minutes, the silence between them was deafening. Virginia glanced at Lance, noting how his hand gripped the steering wheel. His eyes stayed straight ahead, and his brow remained furrowed. It was obvious he was somewhere else in his mind. Had his thoughts already wandered to Addison? Virginia couldn't suppress the bitter laugh in her mind. Even his earlier apology seemed distant. How distant? He hadn't even noticed the blood on her lip, carefully placed there to catch his attention. That was all she needed to see. His apology had been hollow, and his mind had already flown far from her.