The station felt colder at night. The fluorescent lights, harsh and unyielding, had been replaced by dim bulbs in the holding area. Shadows stretched long across the walls, and every sound—footsteps, doors slamming, distant voices—echoed like a warning.
Aaron had offered to stay with me.
"I'll stay the night," he said firmly, worry could be seen in every line of his face. "You shouldn't be alone."
I shook my head, forcing a tight smile. "No. You have your life, Aaron. You can't…"
"You can't refuse me," he interrupted gently, gripping my hand. "Not now. Not tonight. I'm not leaving."
I pulled my hand back. "I'll be fine. Really. I just… need to do this alone."
His eyes softened but didn't relent. "If anything happens—anything—I want to be here. I'll regret not being here forever."
I swallowed hard and shook my head again. "Please… I need to face this alone"
