And all the anger and hot feelings that Jane had felt, everything that had rushed to the surface, had been emptied from that one phrase. It was tangible in the air, and as her face fell, she wished she could take it back. It wasn't right for her to have said that.

"And-" Her voice was like squeaking, compared to before, and her hands clamped over her mouth, muffling her words. "-And I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Dirk. I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry..."