Didn’t admit—
I close my eyes briefly.
Forcing the feeling back down.
Because it doesn’t matter.
Because it can’t matter.
Because he’s going to walk back into that world—
With or without me.
And I—
I don’t belong there.
Not in the way he does.
Not in the way he always will.
But that doesn’t stop the tightness in my chest.
Doesn’t stop the anger.
Or the fear.
Or the one thing I refused to say—
Because I’m not ready to face it yet.
Not even close.
61
Russ
Idon’t knock.
I should.
I don’t.
The door closes quietly behind me as I step into Olivia’s room.
She’s by the window this time.
Not in the bed.
Wrapped in a loose hospital sweater, arms folded lightly across herself as she looks out at the city below.
Alive.
Standing.
Breathing.
That still hits me.
