When the Waiting Turned Quiet

He strode over, brows pinched. "Elise, why didn't you call me when you got in trouble?"

Elise gave him a thin smile. "Would you have answered?"

Seven days ago, she'd been driving home from work when an old man suddenly dropped in front of her car.

The second she got out to help, he grabbed her arm and yelled, "She hit me! She tried to take off!"

Security footage proved Elise hadn't touched him, but she still needed someone to post bail.

She told the cops she had no family to call.

They didn't buy it.

They pulled up her marriage records and found Colsen's number.

His phone was off.

They called again and again.

Nothing.

Colsen's expression changed. "Bella's stomach was hurting that night, so I took her to the hospital. She hates noise, so I shut my phone off."

He paused. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I wasn't going to call you anyway. You had your own stuff going on."

Her voice was way too calm. Her eyes gave nothing away.

Colsen stared at her, then grabbed her wrist.

His hand was hot, his grip tight. Elise frowned.

"Why aren't you mad?"

Confusion flashed in his eyes, along with something close to unease.

Elise almost laughed. "Why would I be? You explained. I get it. There's nothing to be mad about."

"Elise—"

"I'm tired. I wanna go home."

She yanked her hand free and walked past him toward the car.

Colsen stood there, watching her walk away.

After only seven days apart, she'd lost so much weight her shirt hung loose on her.

Before, the slightest neglect would bring tears to her eyes. She'd confront him, hurt. "Colsen, did you ever care about me?"

He'd always thought she was being dramatic and immature.

But now she didn't argue. Didn't cry. No matter what he said, she just nodded.

"Okay."

Still, it made him uneasy.

The car was silent.

The chauffeur drove while Elise sat by the back window, watching the streets blur past.

She used to look at Colsen the second she got in, like he was all she could see. Whenever they were alone, she always had something to say. Even when he barely responded, she'd keep talking.

Now she sat in silence, like he wasn't even there.

Colsen finally spoke. "Are you still upset about what happened?"

Elise turned to him, calm. "No. It's over."

"Then why—"

"Colsen." She cut him off. "What do you want from me? To cling to you like I used to? Or stay quiet and give you all the freedom you wanted?"

Colsen had no answer.

Of course he'd wanted her to stop making a big deal out of everything, especially Bella Kirk. But now that she had, something felt off.

Everything felt off.

"You've changed," he said quietly.

Elise turned back to the window.

'Have I changed?

'Maybe.

'You're different when you love someone and when you don't.'

The car went quiet again. Colsen was about to speak when his phone rang.

Bella.

He answered, and her sweet voice came through. "Colsen, where are you? I'm at the mall and bought way too much. Can you come get me?"

Colsen glanced at Elise.

She kept staring out the window like she hadn't heard a thing.

Irritation hit him out of nowhere. "Bella, you're an adult. Stop depending on me for everything. Besides, there's nothing between us anymore."

"But you spoiled me for years. I'm used to it," Bella said. "You never said no when I asked you to pick me up before."

"That was before." His voice turned cold. "You were my girlfriend then. I'm married now."

"Married?" Bella scoffed. "Do you even care about her? Stop lying to yourself. If you won't come, I'll find another guy to carry my stuff. Plenty of men would love to."

Colsen's grip tightened around his phone.

Bella knew exactly how to get to him. She knew he hated the thought of her running to some other guy.

"Wait there," he said through clenched teeth, then hung up.

He took a breath and turned to Elise. "Elise, I—"

"I'll grab a cab." Elise was already opening the door. "Go get her."

She moved so fast, he barely reacted.

"Elise!" He jumped out, caught up, and grabbed her arm. "There's nothing between us anymore. Seriously. But we grew up together, and our families go way back. I can't just cut her off."

"I know." Elise nodded. "I get it."

It was always "I know" or "I get it," like she'd shut off every emotion.

That blank, distant look only pissed Colsen off more, but Bella called again, telling him to hurry.

"Go home first. I'll be back later—"

Too late.

Elise had already flagged down a cab.

She got in and shut the door without even looking at him.

Then she was gone.

Colsen stood there, watching the taillights disappear into traffic.

For the first time, it hit him.

Something had really changed.

Meanwhile, Elise's phone rang in the cab.

HR.

"Ms. Emery, your overseas transfer was approved," the woman said brightly. "Congrats. You're heading to our European headquarters.

"It's a huge opportunity. But... what about your husband? You have no idea when you'll be back. You'd be doing long-distance."

Elise watched the neon lights streak past the window.

"I won't have a husband." Her voice stayed soft. "I filed for divorce the same day I applied for the transfer.

"Once it's final, I'm gone."