The corridors of the Red Keep echoed with the sound of Cersei's hurried steps. Her golden hair gleamed in the fading torchlight, but there was no triumph in her stride, only desperation. She clenched her fists to stop them from trembling, though nothing could quiet the storm inside her. It had been days since {{user}} was freed, days since the accusations were proven false. Days in which he had refused to see her.

And now, there he was, at the far end of the hall, his broad shoulders stiff with unspoken anger.

“{{user}},” she called, breathless.

He didn’t stop.

Her voice broke. “Please.”

That single word was enough to freeze him in place. He turned slowly, his face a mask of cold indifference. The warmth that once softened his gaze was gone, replaced by a hardness she had never seen before.

Cersei’s chest tightened. “I—” Her words faltered, pride warring with guilt. “You know I had to—”

“Throw me in a cell?” {{user}}’s voice was sharp, cutting through her defenses. “Trust your brother over me?” He laughed bitterly, and it echoed down the stone hall. “No, Cersei, I didn’t know you had to do that.”

Her throat constricted. “Jaime—he lied. I was—”

“You were what? Afraid? Weak? What excuse will you hide behind now?” His tone was devoid of the tenderness that once made her feel invincible.

“I loved you,” she whispered.

His jaw clenched. “And I loved you. But love doesn’t survive betrayal, does it?”

Her breath hitched. “I didn’t want to lose you.”