The words hit her like a blunt blow.

Olivia watched him in silence, her chest tight. Hearing it like that, so direct and cruel, hurt in a different way. It was as if every syllable he spoke ripped something out of her. Respect. Hope. Dignity.

Liam turned to leave, clearly ending the conversation.

"Why are you running away?" she asked, not backing down, her voice shaky but firm. "Is it really that hard to answer a simple question?"

He stopped at the bathroom door, one hand on the frame. H