Shattered Arrogance

When he finished speaking, a long silence hung in the air.

Roland stood there, his patience fraying into something raw and ugly. "Don't pretend you can't hear me. I saw you up there a minute ago. I'm not looking for a handout. I can pay. And I swear when this is all over, when things go back to normal, you'll have my gratitude. Properly. Just think about it."

Upstairs, the words drifted in through