Mara's anger was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but it was mixed with something else now something softer, something she didn't want to acknowledge. She hated that he could still make her feel this way, that even after everything, a part of her still cared.
Ethan stirred, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw her standing there, he straightened up quickly, wincing as his stiff muscles protested. "Mara," he said, his voice rough from sleep. "I… I didn't mean to fall asleep. I just wanted to be close. In case you needed me."
Mara crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I don't need you, Ethan. I told you to leave."
"I know," he said, his voice quiet. "But I couldn't. I can't just walk away, Mara. Not from you. Not from us."
Mara looked away, her jaw tightening. "There is no 'us' anymore, Ethan. You made sure of that."
