Her Reasons

I don't move or speak. Part of me wants to walk out and pretend she doesn't exist. She smiles away at me, but it isn't innocent, not even in the slightest. It's clear just by looking at her that she is manipulative.

"Whatever you're planning to say won't work. Jake has confirmed you were here because of him, not me. I hadn't even been home yesterday." Alaric looks at her. He's worried—even I can tell. "What do you want? Then you can leave."

Her smile drops, and she turns to face him. "You think I want something, Alaric? Maybe I'm back, and I don't want anything? You're just assuming I'm here to gain something. I wanted to see Jake."

"I might not have assumed you wanted something if you came back like a normal person. You want to see Jake, fine. That doesn't explain why you would ask about my relationships. The fact that you lied to Ruby to cause issues says you want something. So what?" Alaric's body is tense, and his eyes constantly go to the door. He's worried Jake will come down.

"