The word landed harder than anything else I’d said. She froze just for a fraction of a second, but I saw it.
“I’ll find somewhere.” Her voice tightened. “I’ll… I’ll figure something out. I always have.”
“You’ve had all day to figure it out, and you still haven’t.”
She gripped her bag. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
“It at least means you don’t have a plan.”
“I don’t need one,” she snapped. “I just need to go.”
I tilted my head, studying her. “No,” I said quietly. “You need somewhere to land.”
My words settled into the space between us.
“I’m not staying here.”
“You’re not ready to leave.”
Her eyes burned into mine. “Watch me.” She grabbed her other bag, moving toward the door, but this time, I budged.
In a strangled tone, I coaxed, “Kitty.”
She turned cautiously, her expression already softening. “I’m not doing this with you.” Her voice strained now, adding, “I’m not standing here while you try to talk me into staying.”
“I’m not talking you into anything. I’m just stating facts. But let’s call a spade a spade, Kitty. If you really think I’m going to let you walk out that door, then you don’t know me at all.”
“You’re absolutely right, Kraven.” She dropped her bags to the floor, getting in my face. “I don’t know who you are, which is why I can’t stay here with you anymore. I can’t play house in a home that’s become anything but that. You took that away the second you called the cops.”
“Kitty…”
“Stop it.”
“I’m just reminding you of reality.”
Her laugh came out sharp. “Reality?” she echoed. “You mean your version of it?”
“No, the version you’re trying to ignore.”
Her eyebrows pinched together. “I’m not ignoring anything.”
I didn’t falter and spoke with conviction. “I love you and my baby.”
My words didn’t just hit, they assaulted.
I saw it.
Felt it.
The way her body reacted before her mind could catch up, swallowing the whole room. Her breath caught, stiff and uneven, while her hand instinctively slid to her stomach.
“You don’t get to use this baby against me.” Her tone trembled low.
“I’m not using it against you. I’m just telling you the truth.”
“No, you’re using it as a weapon and trying to trap me here.”
“You can’t just leave me and hope it works out.”
