It felt unbearable the way he ignored me. The silence between us always hurt more than anger ever did.
He let out a cold snort. "Mad? Do you really think you can calm me down with words?"
I went quiet at that. There was nothing I could say that would reach him in that moment. The air around him felt sharp, like he was holding something back but refusing to let it show.
After a moment, I gathered my courage and sat up. I moved closer, then leaned into him awkwardly, searching for warmth in the space he still allowed me.
But he pushed me away. Not hard, just enough to stop me. Enough to make it clear.
My breath caught. "Is this how you push me aside?"
My voice shook, but I kept going anyway. "If I were smart… I wouldn't have let Rebecca stay by your side in the first place."
The moment her name left my mouth, the atmosphere shifted.
"Scarlett!" he snapped.
"Yes!" I snapped back just as fast. "Why do you always have to shout? I'm not deaf."
