The Strength to Yield

The table fell quiet again—but this time, it wasn’t heavy with lectures or revelation.

It was… awkward.

Roth sat stiffly, jaw set, eyes fixed somewhere between the table and the far wall, as if staring hard enough might erase the last few minutes from existence. The thought lingered anyway, unwelcome and persistent, tapping insistently at the back of his mind.

Across from him, Kaelen said nothi