Chapter 6: Do Me a Favor
394 Words
I didn’t sneak in through the activity hall this time. I waited by the back garden exit, where the staff occasionally stepped out to smoke. I knew he’d come through eventually—he always did. I didn’t need to see the singing again; I had already seen the footage, already seen Claire cry beside me as Leo sang my life back to her.
But today, I wanted it to end.
I waited until the group applause faded, until the chairs were scraping the floor and the hallway filled with distant conversation.
Then I saw him—Leo—coming around the corner with that familiar, easy stride.
"Three days," I said, stepping into his path. “It’s over.”
He blinked, surprised but not startled. “You’re early. I thought you’d want to give her one more night.”
“I want my life back.”
Leo crossed his arms, his voice still level. “It’s not a coat you just take off. People get used to warmth.”
“This wasn’t the deal.”
“It was never just about the deal. "Not for you.” He stepped closer. You walked away because you couldn’t face the mess. Now you want to come back just because I cleaned it up.”
“That’s not true,” I snapped.
“Isn’t it?” He looked at me, really looked. “You didn’t even notice how miserable Claire was before that. "How many nights has she cried herself to sleep while you stared at your phone?”
I flinched.
He softened slightly. “You still love her?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then be honest with her.”
I stared at him. “And what about you?”
“I’ll leave. You won’t see me again.”
I didn’t believe it.
He turned to go.
“One more thing,” I said. Don’t touch her again. Not even accidentally.
He stopped. Then he smiled—not smug, not cruel. Almost… sad.
“I never had to. She came to me.”
I stood there long after he disappeared through the door. The applause from inside had long faded. All that remained was the wind rustling through the ginkgo leaves—and the ringing of a truth I hadn’t dared admit.
Claire had chosen him.
And he had never even asked her to.
- Writer
