Chapter 32: Unexpected Encounters

I hesitated as I posed the question to Scar, my heart sinking at the sight of his unprecedented sadness. He had always been grumpy, but never this visibly upset.

"Scar?" I called out, hoping to snap him out of his trance.

"Huh?" He leaned against the closest tree for support.

"Are you okay?" Instantly, regret washed over me. I shouldn't have asked such a profound question.

"I'm fine," he replied, taking a deep breath and fixing his gaze upon me with those captivating eyes of his.

"No one has ever asked me that before," he explained, still locked in eye contact.

"Let's keep moving," he attempted to divert my attention, but I couldn't let go of my curiosity.

"We can continue, but how can I love a man who keeps secrets from the one he loves?" I resumed walking, but halted when I felt his arm on mine.

"Why the sudden interest in me?" He smirked.

"You asked about my family, so I want to know about yours. Who knows, maybe that's why you're always grumpy," I retorted, crossing my arms and re