Chapter 9- Crossroads

Lyle's POV

I sit in my car, flicking ash out the window, the faint glow of my cigarette illuminating the darkened interior. The engine’s off; I haven’t even bothered to start it.

My mind keeps circling back to Angela’s face in the consulting room, the mix of anger and sadness in her eyes that I can’t shake. It’s been a while since she looked at me like that, with that quiet accusation, like I’m somehow the one who’s wronged her.

I can’t shake the image of her eyes, the way they seemed to search for some answer, some proof that I’m more than the person I’ve become.

What does she expect from me? An apology? A confession? I’m doing the best I can, juggling responsibilities she doesn’t even know the half of.

I take another long drag, exhaling slowly, trying to let it go. Why is she like this? It used to be different—she used to be different. Three years ago, she was calm, capable, even gentle.

There was none of this jealousy, none of the pointless arguments she seems so eager to start