He watches me for a second longer then shakes his head slightly like he's done with this.
"Eat your food, Elaine," he says, picking up his fork again. "It's getting cold."
And just like that…He shuts it down, like none of this happened, like he didn't just crack something open between us.
I stare at him.
At how easily he retreats back into that controlled, distant version of himself and something in me twists.
Because I don't know what's worse,..The version of him that hurts me openly Or this one…that pretends not to.
——
By the time I get back to my room, the house is quiet, the kind of quiet that presses in on you, makes everything in your head louder than it should be.
I shut the door behind me and lean against it for a second Just… breathing.
Dinner sits heavy in my stomach, untouched tension curling tighter the more I replay it.
Zane's voice.
You came back… but not for me.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
No. Not that.
