The lights inside flickered — now bright, now dim.

They had once been lovers. Now they were something neither of them had a word for.

The silence stretched. Finally, the man's throat moved, and he heard her murmur, low and tired, "Just go. Thank you for everything these past few days."

"I'm not going anywhere."

He didn't even touch his face where she'd slapped him. He simply turned and opened the door, his voice still gentle. "Let me walk ...