Aurora sits on the bed, legs pulled close, eyes fixed on the wall. The door hisses open.Jacen steps in.JACEN:...Aurora.She doesn't look at him.AURORA (coldly):Shouldn't you be checking on your soldier?Jacen stays by the door, guilt written across his face.JACEN:Ronin came to me. I know what she did.AURORA (still not looking):Took him yelling at you to realize it was wrong?JACEN:I knew it was wrong. I stopped her. I thought that was enough.She turns, finally facing him, eyes burning.AURORA:She aimed a blaster at me, Dad. Your daughter. And you kept her around like she was just... a little off-balance.JACEN:It wasn't about choosing her over you.AURORA:It felt like it.Her voice softens, just slightly, but it cuts deeper.AURORA (cont'd):You hesitated. You always do. With me.Jacen swallows, his voice low.JACEN:You're right. I've failed you more than once. But I won't this time.He steps forward.JACEN (cont'd):She's been reassigned. Off the team. Out of your space. It's done.Aurora studies him carefully, searching for sincerity. She finds it—but it doesn't erase the hurt.AURORA:It should've never happened. I wasn't even part of it, and she saw me as some… piece to move. Something to break to control him.JACEN:You're not a piece. You're not leverage. You're my daughter.AURORA (quietly):Then start acting like it.A long silence. Jacen nods.JACEN:I will.He turns to leave, but pauses at the door.JACEN (soft):I'm proud of you. Even when I don't say it. Especially when you fight back like this.He leaves.
Aurora sits back slowly, expression unreadable—but the tightness in her chest eases, just a little.
