s after conversations, in the space between touch and withdrawal, in the things Lily almost said but swallowed instead.

e was learning,

eviewing something on his phone, his presence familiar yet distant. The house felt calm, ordinary yet her heart wa

sked casually, witho

. "Yes," she

e was growing t

hings. And still, Lily felt unseen. When he reached for his plate and their hands brushed, her he

iss me?" she a

d. "Of course I do. W

espite her effort to stay calm. "Sometimes it f

usion flickering across h

hat I mean,"

, as though choosing the wrong word might shatter everything. "I know you provide for me,I know you c

jaw tightening not in anger, but in restraint. "I do l

rs burning her eyes. "But i

nd through his hair. "I don't know what you want me to do," he said, his v

her voice breaking. "

er as though she had asked him to speak a language he had never learned. And Lily rea

chest aching with words she wished he had said. He stared at the ceiling, his heart racing with

wondered the same silent question: What if love, whe