tant sounds of Marcus getting ready for work. She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. She had woken up early, unable to sleep through the quiet

fted between them, something that Elena couldn't quite

reaked open, and she heard the faint sound of water running as he splashed his face. Elena swallowed, feeling a tightness in her chest. She had always prided herself on their communic

was standing in front of the mirror, his back to her as he buttoned up his shirt. His movements were qu

couldn't just wait for him to come back to her. She had to d

oice laced with hope, though she wasn'

ulder. "Morning," he replied, his tone flat, as if he was merely going throu

Not like this. "I thought we could have breakfast together before you hea

"I don't have time for breakfast this morning. I'm ru

inst the bathroom counter. "Marcus," she began, her voice wavering just a bit, "I know things have

her pulse quickening, but he didn't even glance at her

said, his words devoid of emotion. "I don

he were dismissing her, as if she were just ano

firm. "I just want to know that you're here. That we're still h

o the mirror, his eyes not meeting hers. "I am here," he said, his tone f

hem. "Later." She repeated, but it didn't so

houghts. Later. How many times had he said that? How many times had she w

fore grabbing his coat off the hook. "I've got to go,"

hey meant nothing. She tried to speak, to stop him before he walked out of

el as though a door had slammed in her heart. She stood there for a long moment,

al meetings. Anything to distract herself from the painful ache that seemed to persist in the pit of her stomach. But no matter ho

front of the stove again, stirring the dinner she had made for Marcus. She had tried to reach him all day, but his calls had gone straight to voice

able, she heard the sound of the f

ce. She couldn't keep letting him slip away. She had to say something

red, his eyes still distant. "I'm sorry I'm lat

dy but with an edge of uncertainty. "Dinner

ing room without another word. He didn't seem to notice the effort she ha

racing. She tried to keep the conversation light. "Eli's exci

enthusiasm. "Sounds good," he mumbled. "Maybe we can do it

end. The phrase was starting to feel like a mantra, one that he used w

te, the weight of her thoughts pressi

h. For a brief moment, he looked at her

trembling slightly. "About... this. I can

s eyes, something dark, something almost frustrated. But then it

Marcus replied, his voice tight. "This i

es for a moment, trying to compose herself. "I can't keep waiting for 'la

and Elena could see the walls he was building betwee

, his tone low and almost defeated. "But I can't

ts to remain calm. "Why can't we fix this, Marcus? Why does it alwa

Marcus finally looked at her, his eyes full of something Elena c

he said quietly, the words han

olding on to hope for so long, but now it was slipping through her fingers. The crack

" Marcus added softly, his