It breaks my heart to hear him say those words.
He turns around. My cheeks burn with the heat of his gaze.
“What can I do?” I ask helplessly.
“You’ve done f*****g plenty.”
I drop my head. I deserve this, but it hurts nonetheless.
He doesn’t say anything else for a long time. He circles around his desk and for one insane moment, I think he might hug me. Might wipe away my tears and tell me it’s okay, that we’ll work through this together.
That we’re a team, like he said.
That I’m brave, like he said.
That he loves me—like I’ve dreamed he’d one day say.
But he keeps his distance.
Then, without another word, he walks out of the office and leaves me standing in front of the wall that’s consumed his life these past five years.
More tears slip from my eyes, but I force myself to stare
