"I'm sorry, Steve. I really am… but I don't think I can go back."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
"I'm with D now," she continued, glancing briefly at Ross, whose hand still rested calmly on her thigh.
"And I'm happy with him. I didn't expect this. I didn't plan for it. But it happened, and I won't lie to myself just to make someone else feel better."
She hesitated, her voice gentler now. "Please… don't stay here and torture yourself. Go back. Walk away before you hurt yourself even more."
For a moment, Steve didn't move. He just stood there, frozen, his face unreadable.
Then, slowly, he took a long, deep breath.
His chest rose and fell as he swallowed whatever storm was building inside him.
He gave a single nod.
He didn't say a word.
No curses. No threats. No final plea.
He simply turned around and walked out of the room—his footsteps echoing softly behind him, each one heavier than the last.
And just like that… he was gone.
