And so it began, the long winded story she’d been expecting. The one she’d basically prised out of him, all for her own intents and purposes. It was a little too much for her and she found her attention span wandering occasionally, latching on to something - but frankly, just as much as she’d disliked hearing about the candid swapping and stealing of woman from Monster, it was worse hearing it from a man. Her blue eyes darkened slightly, as she forced herself to listen.

When he was finished, he ended with the little story she’d expected. She had no pity for him though, as this entire situation was his own doing as far as she was concerned. Too busy paying attention to his past and not looking to the future, too lost in it all.

But the first thing that she recognises of what he says, as the moment clicks, steels Leyra against him. Her gaze loses its shine, and she peers at him.

“So, your solution to letting her be happy, a living, breathing figure, was to give her no choice but be forced by you to have a baby, in order to go and be where she wants?” She speaks, nothing friendly about the way she said it. It was cold and Leyra meant it to be, as it had been a chilling realisation of just what he’d done.

And Leyra takes a few steps to the side. But she does laugh, though it is not friendly. “I couldn’t hate you. I don’t even know who you are, in truth, but what I’ve seen does not have the odds in your favour… and I’m going to tell you what I think…” she trails off, stepping towards him by one step, intent.

“You want to know what’ll make sure your child won’t hate you? That kid won’t magically know who you are when its born, you know. If you want them not to hate you, and like you, then maybe you should let your hang ups with Zjeena and the Paradise heard go. Don’t have to be friendly, but you should try walking forward and not backwards. Let them be, and be a father and not a revenge-seeking… person,” she says, wanting another word but holding back.

“Let it go. Let her be happy, let them be happy and maybe you’ll find your own again,” she says. She means it. If she was stuck here, for the time being, then she’d make damn sure she wouldn’t end up like any of them, and if he listened to her, even better. She doubted he would, there was too much stubborn pride here she knew, but Leyra spkoe her mind.

And she was still cold in the way she watched him. Any man who traded women about, stealing just for revenge and giving women the choice he had… she wasn’t impressed.

It showed on her face, etched into her features.