Charlotte was restocking shelves when the clinic bell chimed.
Felix stepped in, no flowers, no pretense—just a folder in his hand.
“Zach's doing better," he began.
“I know," Charlotte said, lining up pill bottles.
“I want to talk about his stability," Felix said. “About… us."
Charlotte shut the cabinet. “We already talked about us."
---
He opened the folder—property deeds, investment summaries, an offer letter. “A house. In both our names. Investments in your clinic. A future we can script as safe."
“Safe for who?" she asked.
“For Zach," he said. “He needs two whole parents."
“He has that," Charlotte said. “He doesn't need one marriage."
Felix's jaw tightened. “I'm asking what you want."
She met his eyes. “Autonomy."
---
He exhaled. “I can try to understand that."
“You don't
