Chapter 38. I'll Need Sometime

Rae:

His arms are around me.

Tight.

Firm.

Like he's afraid I’ll vanish if he lets go.

And maybe… maybe I was about to.

For weeks I’ve been drowning in silence. Choking on his absence. I wanted to hate him. God, I tried.

But now...

He’s here.

Bleeding apologies.

Spilling truths I wasn’t ready to hear—because I’d already convinced myself he stopped loving me.

But he didn’t.

He just—

Shut down.

Buried himself in pain instead of turning to me.

It hurts. Still.

Even with his arms around me.

Even with his words echoing in my chest like a prayer.

Because love shouldn't feel like guessing.

It shouldn't feel like standing in a room with someone and still feeling invisible.

I lean into him.

Just a little.

Just enough.

"I hated you,” I whisper.

His breath stills against my temple.

“I know,” he says.

I pull back, slowly. My gaze catches the