It's late when we pull up to the house.
Ryan insisted on walking Angelique and me to the door. Said it was "only right after a school event," but the way his hand lingered near mine as we walked said more than he would ever admit.
Angelique clutches her little glittery vision board and sleepily leans into my side. Ryan smiles at her, soft and easy. The kind of smile that makes your chest forget how to breathe.
"You sure you've got it from here?" he asks.
I nod. "Thank you again. For everything."
He gives me a small salute and turns back toward his car.
And that's when I hear the shouting.
Slurred. Angry. Familiar.
"SAM?!"
I freeze.
Because I know that voice.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXWSAg7170
Even soaked in alcohol and bitterness—I know it.
Henry stumbles out from the shadows near the gate, bottle in hand, eyes wild.
"What's this?" he yells, gesturing toward Ryan's retreating figure. "This guy replacing me now?! That easy for you?"
Ryan hears it. Turns around immediately.
Angelique jolts awake. I press her head gently against my chest, shielding her.
"Henry, leave," I say firmly. "Not here. Not now."
He laughs—ragged, ugly. "Now?! When?! You think you get to move on without me?"
Ryan takes a step closer. Calm, but solid.
"That's enough," he says, voice low. "You're drunk. There's a child here."
Henry glares at him. "Who the hell are you?"
Ryan doesn't flinch. "The man who gives a damn about them."
Henry throws the bottle. It misses the gate and shatters.
Angelique whimpers. I hold her tighter.
"Go home," I say, voice shaking—but not with fear. With finality.
"You think he knows you like I do?" Henry snarls. "You think he's gonna love your baggage? Your brokenness?"
And that's when I snap.
"I'm not broken, Henry. You are. I just had to rebuild myself with the pieces you left behind."
Silence.
He stares at me, breathing hard. But there's no fight left—just years of rot sitting heavy in his bones.
He stumbles back toward the street, muttering to himself. Ryan watches, arms crossed, jaw tight, until Henry disappears down the sidewalk.
Inside the house, Angelique is already fast asleep in my arms.
Ryan lingers at the door.
"You okay?" he asks softly.
I nod. "I will be."
He nods too. Like he believes me. Like he always has.
Before he leaves, he looks back one last time.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9QpeYO9cN
"I meant what I said earlier. About giving a damn."
I meet his gaze. And for once, I don't feel like I have to look away.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnUm1qWWYI
