Fragile

Chapter 24 - Arguments & Zoo Day

I softened slightly but still held my ground. "I know that. But what's the point of building a future if you're not here to live in it?"

She didn't say anything for a moment. Just stared at me, her face a mix of frustration and exhaustion. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter, but no less sharp.

"I don't need you to fix this, Leah."

I swallowed, my throat tight. "I'm not trying to fix it. I just don't want to feel like I'm losing you."

Evelyn shook her head, running a hand through her hair. "You're not losing me. But I can't be everything all the time. I can't be a perfect doctor, a perfect mom, and a perfect girlfriend. Something is always going to fall short."

I looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the exhaustion in her eyes. The weight she was carrying. And for the first time, I wondered if I had been too hard on her.

But at the same time, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something bigger.

That maybe, just maybe, love wasn't always enough to hold everything together.

When we finally went to bed, Evelyn didn't say much. She moved through the motions of getting ready—brushing her teeth, changing into an old t-shirt of mine that she loved to steal—without acknowledging me beyond the occasional glance. It felt cold, distant. And I hated it.

I climbed into bed after her, the silence stretching between us like a chasm. Usually, we'd talk—about our day, about Riggs, about something stupid we saw online—but tonight, she just turned onto her side, facing away from me.

I sighed, rolling onto my back and staring at the ceiling. I hated going to bed like this. It made everything feel heavier, like the fight was still lingering between us, pressing down on my chest.

I tried to break the silence.

"You know, I was thinking we could take Riggs somewhere this weekend. Maybe the zoo? He was talking about how much he loves the penguins the other day."

Nothing.

She shifted slightly, adjusting her pillow, but didn't say a word.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to let it get to me.

I turned onto my side, facing her back, and hesitated for a moment before reaching out, wrapping my arms around her. My front pressed against her back, and even though she didn't pull away, she didn't relax into me either.

"I love you," I murmured against her shoulder, pressing the softest kiss to her skin.

She was quiet for so long that I thought maybe she had fallen asleep. But then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she finally spoke.

"I love you too."

It didn't feel like enough.

I pressed a few soft kisses along her shoulder, lingering, hoping she'd give in and talk to me. But she stayed quiet, her body stiff against mine.

Frustration curled in my chest, and eventually, I gave up, sighing as I pulled away. If she didn't want to talk, I wasn't going to force her. I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling, my heart sinking.

But then, suddenly, Evelyn reached behind her, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back toward her. I let her, surprised, and she turned in my arms, facing me now. Her eyes were soft, guilt swimming in them, and she let out a quiet sigh.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

I didn't say anything, just searched her face, waiting for her to continue.