Leo studied her face. She was not frantic. Not falling apart. No, it was worse than that. She looked resolved.
“Tell me what you need,” he said at last. “What do you actually need from me right now?”
She was quiet for so long that he thought she might not answer.
“I need you to go,” she said finally. “I need time to think. To clear my head.”
She’s pushing us out,his bear bristled.
Every instinct in him rose up against it. Stay. Argue. Refuse. But if he forced himself on her now, he would only become one more thing asserting pressure on her.
“Okay,” he said, though it cost him to say it. “I’ll go.”
Relief flickered across her face. “Thank you.”
“But Estelle...” He took a step closer. “Please remember you’re not alone in this anymore. Whatever you decide, whatever you do next, I want to be part of it.”
She looked at him then, properly looked at him, and something in her expression made his heart lurch.
“I know,” she said softly.
It wasn’t a promise. It wasn’t even reassurance. Just an acknowledgment. Somehow, that frightened him more than if she’d refused him outright.
Leo stood, every instinct in him straining against it. He wanted to stay. To argue. To make her see that running wasn’t the only answer anymore. But he had promised her space, and he would not break that promise now.
“Adara,” he said gently, “I need to head home for a bit.”
The little girl looked up, disappointment plain on her face. “But I thought you were going to stay.”
“I know. I’ll see you soon.”
Will we?his bear asked bleakly.Or is this goodbye?
Leo shoved the thought aside and crouched to Adara’s level. “Keep taking good care of Fizz, okay?”
She nodded solemnly. “I will.”
As he straightened, his eyes met Estelle’s again. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself, her face composed in a way that only made him more afraid.
“Call me,” he said. “Whenever you’re ready. Day or night.”
“I will,” she replied, but there was no weight in it. Nothing he could hold on to.
Ask her,his bear paced hard inside him.Make her tell you she’s not going to disappear.
But Leo knew pressing now would only drive her farther away. He had to trust her. Trust fate.
At the door, he paused and turned back.
“Estelle,” he said quietly, “I meant what I said. You and Adara are not alone anymore.”
Her eyes shone suddenly, but she only nodded.
Then he stepped outside, and the door closed behind him.
This is wrong,his bear protested as they walked to the truck.We shouldn’t leave them.
I know,Leo replied, dread tightening his chest.But if I stay when she’s asking for space, I lose her anyway.
