"I've kept too many secrets from you", he whispered. "I am sorry".

Adrien said nothing; he looked past Val's shoulder, staring at the barren wall until his vision became frazzled. "No, you had your reasons... I know you couldn't tell me".

"Yes, but you deserved to know. You always understand...".

"No -- you -- you can only say that you were right to trust... you can only know that for sure after you've opened yourself to pain", Adrien slowly said, still staring into nothing. Then a stabbing pang made its way through his chest and forced his eyes to focus again: "And it's not like I haven't failed you as well".

"But, ultimately, you have always understood", Val said. "I should have told you...".

"I didn't tell you, either", Adrien said. "And then I -- I did what I did".

"You had your reasons, too".