When she opened the door, James stood in the rain, hair plastered to his forehead, eyes swollen from crying or sleeplessness. “Emily,” he said quietly. She didn’t answer. “I didn’t know what to say,” he continued, voice trembling. Her expression stayed cold. “You always know what to say when you’re angry,” she replied. “But when you’re wrong, you go silent.”
He winced. “I deserve that.” “You deserve worse. You left me to defend myself for something I didn’t do.” she said flatly. “I thought—” he began, but she cut him off. “I know what you thought. You thought I cheated. And now you think showing up makes it right?” He shook his head quickly. “No. Nothing makes it right. I just needed to see you. To see her.”