Turning around, Esther's trembling, tear-filled eyes met Ulrich standing there, watching her in silence.
At once she pulled away from Airam's arms and hurriedly wiped at her face, as if that could erase everything he had already seen.
"I—I wasn't crying..." She forced out the words.
The claim fell apart immediately. Her voice came out hoarse and choked, and her reddened cheeks and wet lashes only made it worse.
Ulrich said nothing.
He only kept looking at her.
Esther could not bear it for long. The shame rose too quickly in her chest. She lowered her gaze at once, fingers bunching tightly in the fabric of her gown as she fought to keep more tears from falling.
She had wanted this evening to go differently.
More than that, she had wanted Ulrich to see her at her best.
