|Theodore|
“So… how did it go with your parents?” Carmella asked, her voice tentative yet firm.
I sat at the edge of the bed, my elbows resting on my knees, my hands clasped so tightly that my knuckles whitened. My gaze was fixed on the floor, unable to meet hers.
She lingered near the window, her eyes scanning the horizon as if it held the answers to questions neither of us could voice.
I finally exhaled, a long, slow release of air that did little to ease the knot in my chest. Running a hand through my hair, I tried to compose myself.
“It didn’t go well.” My voice was low, the words feeling hollow and inadequate, but I couldn’t muster the energy to elaborate just yet. “They… don’t understand why I’m choosing you.”
Her shoulders stiffened, the faintest flinch betraying her reacti
