“Yeah.


    I was hoping to catch you for a chat, and here you are.


    ”


    Ste’s forehead creased slightly, but she managed a smile.


    “Do you have something you need to talk about?”


    “Ste…” Farris took a moment to gather his thoughts.


    “I need to ask for a favor for Mina.


    ”


    At the mention of Mina, Ste’s smile vanished, her face turning grave.


    Farris rushed to exin, “Mina’s trial has started.


    I get she messed up.


    But herwyer says if you could vouch for her, it might soften the judge’s verdict.


    ”


    Ste stared at Farris, taken aback.


    Had she not caught on to the problem and sought treatment in time, her hand might have been irreparably damaged.


    It was all because of Mina.


    And here was Farris, pleading for someone Like that?


    Ste took a breath to steady herself and nced at the movie ticket clutched in Farris’ grip.


    “Did you get that ticket for her today, too?”


    Farris seemed caught off guard, silent for a moment as if her quick shift threw him.


    It took him a while to reply.


    “Mina did a foolish thing because of me.


    ”


    Surprise flickered in Ste’s eyes once more.


    “I’ve never liked Mina.


    I’ve turned her down multiple times.


    I thought she’d give up, but she only grew more persistent.


    ” Farris let out a sigh and turned away, his mind drifting to the past.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    “Mina left me a letter when I got back to work, kind of like a goodbye.


    By the time I tried to track her down, there was no way to reach her.


    ” His eyes grew misty.


    “In the end, her folks found her in her car, unconscious.


    She’s been in aa ever since and hasn’t woken up.


    ”


    He looked down at the movie ticket in his hand.


    “She wanted to see this film.


    She always asked me to go with her.


    But with her being like this… So, I’m going to see it on her behalf first, then tell her about it.


    He stopped, his gaze fixed on Ste, his voice earnest as he spoke of Mina.


    “Everything she ever did to you, Ste, was my fault.


    I’m begging you, please let it slide.


    Once she’s up again, I promise she won’t trouble you anymore.


    ”


    Ste listened, caught off guard.


    She didn’t see any of thising, nor had she imagined Mina would contemte suicide.