“Nothing happened between Elyse and I, Avice,” he said flatly. “She tried to initiate things but I...” He trailed off. “I couldn’t.”
He pursed his lips, looking down at the sand. “I believe you. But you have to recognize that you weren’t the only victim here.”
She was quiet, turning back to look at the ocean. Something about her was different from before, but it was hard to say what. Perhaps it was the way she held herself, or the newfound weariness in her eyes. "Okay."
She frowned, watching the waves lap the shore. "Jack.. I don't know. I don't want to fight anymore. I just.. I give up, okay? I give up."
“If you give up on me and your child then you don’t need to come,” he said bluntly. “God knows I already thought you did that long ago.”
Something fell in his expression, but he had a pretty good poker face and he nodded stiffly. “And yet you have claimed to give up already. So, obviously it can’t be that important to you.” He shook his head. “Come if you want. I don’t really care at this point.”
He looked down for a moment before shaking his head in disgust and leaving, Aubrey playing with his hair as they walked away.
(Yeet) Avice approached the house. The sight of it brought longing in her heart, and she sat on the step for a moment, relishing memories.
