RONALD.
The moment Jeffrey’s question left his lips, I felt the air in the room shift. He was staring at me, searching for an answer he needed.
I held his gaze steadily.
“Yes,” I said. “Now would you let it go?”
Jeffrey didn’t answer right away. His eyes lingered on mine for a beat longer, I felt the fight drain from him. “Fine,” he muttered. “If you don’t want to talk about it…”
He turned away from me and walked towards the door. “I need to go for a walk.”
“Where are you going?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.
He looked over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m not leaving the estate.”
And just like that, he walked out.
I sighed, walked to the bar, and poured myself a glass of water. I didn’t drink it immediately. I stared at the ripple in the glass until a familiar memory came crashing back in, intruding my thoughts.
**********
FLASHBACK
It was a quiet diner on the east end. Faint music humming from the speakers. The diner booth lights were harsh, expos
