Nat rushed to Max's side the moment he slumped to the ground, her panic overriding everything else. "Max!" she gasped, falling to her knees beside him.
He didn't say anything, just buried his face in his hands, letting out a broken sound. Nat instinctively wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, her hands trembling as they moved up his back, trying to comfort him.
"I am here, max. You are not alone in this. I will always be here for you." she whispered in a comforting voice but it was cracking. "It is not your fault. You could have never guessed her intentions." Max could feel her worry in it.
Max clutched her tightly in return, burying his face in the crook of her neck. But behind her shoulder, his eyes flicked up to meet Nora's.
She stood a few steps away with her arms crossed. she smirked with a hint of satisfaction. Her eyes met Max's and she gave a small nod of approval. She had made her move, and Max had followed through.
