Looking at him, I said, "Rebecca has Cameron and Zachary too, but you can't let her go either, can you? I'm just normal friends with John. Nothing else."
The words came out with a trace of guilt, and the moment they left my lips, I could feel the tension in the room shift. I tried to hide my expression, but it was already too late.
The air between us felt tight, heavy with unspoken things. I knew he was not calm, even if he didn't show it openly. Still, I forced myself to continue, my voice softer this time. "I'm not like Rebecca. When she's upset, Cameron, Zachary, Joe, and you all react. You comfort her. But me… I only have myself. To me, John is just someone I know. Nothing more."
For a moment, his expression changed. The edge in his gaze softened, replaced by something quieter, more controlled. He lifted his hand slightly and gestured toward me. "Come here."
I sat on the bed with my head lowered, unable to move closer. "I can't."
