I took a step back, putting distance between us. “I can’t do this anymore,” I said quietly, my voice trembling. “I can’t keep pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. I just… I need time to think.”
“Vivian,” Nathan started, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “We can fix this. We just need to—”
“No,” I said, cutting him off. “We can’t fix this, Nathan.”
His face hardened again, the brief moment of vulnerability disappearing. “You’re coming home,” he said, his voice flat and unsuggestive. “Now.”
I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Nathan’s expression darkened, “Get back into that car, Vivian.”
“I will not,” I said, my voice breaking as I turned to walk away.
But before I could take more than a few steps, Nathan grabbed my arm, his tight g
