I’ll always let him in.
• • •
I open the window.
Cassian climbs in like he belongs here.
Like he never left.
Like he didn’t just break something between us and walk away from it.
He looks — different.
Not the wrecked version from the bathroom.
Something quieter.
Tired in a way that goes deeper than sleep.
• • •
“Ro.”
His voice is low.
Unsteady.
“I’m sorry. I just — you have to understand.”
“Understand what?” My voice cracks before I can stop it. “You don’t tell me anything, Cassian. You just show up whenever it’s convenient and expect me to be okay with it.”
I shake my head.
“Just let me in. Just once.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes, it is.”
He laughs under his breath.
No humor in it.
“You don’t get it.”
“Then explain it to me.” I step closer. “I’m right here. It’s me. It’s always been me.”
For a second —
I think he might.
But he doesn’t.
He just looks at me like I’m asking for something he physically cannot give.
Like there’s something between him and the answer that I can’t see and he won’t name.
I should tell him to leave.
