Late Remorse

Sienna's POV

I hung up and stared quietly at the birthday dinner on the table. It had long since gone cold and congealed.

A film of cold grease had formed over the top. Beside the plate sat a tiny strawberry cake.

I picked up the plate, carried it into the kitchen, and scraped every last bit of it into the trash.

The clock read eleven when I heard someone at the door.

Levi walked in, with Tessa right behind him.

"Sienna, how come you're not crying today?"

She peeked out from behind Levi, swallowed up in his huge black rain jacket, looking tiny and innocent.

Levi changed out of his shoes and glanced up to find me sitting on the couch. His lips curled into a mocking smile.

He went over to the kitchen island and poured himself a glass of water, his tone careless.

"Still up? Finally come to your senses?

"If you apologize right now and promise to stop policing who I'm friends with, maybe I'll still give you the birthday present I bought you."

I looked at him and said nothing.

In the past, every time we fought, all he had to do was show up in front of me with Tessa. I'd fall apart, sob, demand answers, and finally crumble under his cold stare, red-eyed as I gave in.

He knew the routine by heart.

That was why he didn't even bother trying to coax me anymore. He just stood there, perfectly composed, waiting for me to cave.

Just then, a weak whimper came from the corner.

It was Biscuit, the golden retriever we'd adopted together seven years ago.

Biscuit was old now. He'd been very sick lately, and even standing up took a lot out of him.

But when he heard Levi's voice, he still pushed himself up on his hind legs, wagged his tail, and wobbled toward Levi, wanting to rub against his pant leg.

Tessa shrieked and ducked behind Levi.

"Levi, this dog stinks! Does he have fleas? I'm scared!"

Levi frowned. Without a second thought, he lifted his leg and kicked.

"Get lost!"

Biscuit was already weak. The kick sent him crashing to the floor with a piercing yelp, and for a long time, he couldn't get back up.

I shot to my feet. It felt like something had seized my heart and squeezed hard.

Levi didn't even glance at the dog on the floor. He turned to scold me instead.

"Can't you lock this old dog out on the balcony? There's hair everywhere. Don't you know Tessa's allergic to dog hair?"

I stood frozen, staring at the disgust on Levi's face.

Seven years ago, we'd just graduated. Our first startup had failed, and at our poorest, all we could afford was a basement apartment.

The winters were freezing, and we had no heat.

Every night, Levi slept with Biscuit in his arms. He'd say, "Sienna, Biscuit's like our firstborn son. Once we've got money, I'm going to buy him a big place with a yard so he can lie in the sun every day."

Now we had the big place.

But because another woman said she was scared, he'd kicked away the past we shared.

"Sienna, don't blame Levi. I've been scared of dogs ever since I was little..."

Tessa peeked out from behind him, looking at me timidly. "Maybe I should just go, so you two don't fight over me."

Levi grabbed her wrist. "Why would you go? It's pouring out there. You're sleeping in the master bedroom tonight."

Then he turned a cold look on me. "Sienna, get the dog out. Don't make me say it twice."

I looked at Biscuit trembling on the floor and tasted something like blood at the back of my throat.

I walked over without a word, crouched down, and gathered Biscuit into my arms, bit by bit.

He rested his head on my shoulder, and his warm tongue licked my neck.

Holding him, I walked out to the balcony.

As I slid the door shut, I heard Tessa's coy voice from the living room.

"Levi, you looked so scary when you kicked the dog just now. You totally freaked me out."

Levi chuckled. "That's what it gets for jumping at you."

I leaned against the balcony's glass door and slowly slid down to the floor.

Biscuit curled up in my arms, his breathing heavy.

I stroked his coarse fur, and the tears finally fell without a sound.