Alexander leaned against the counter, arms crossed, jaw clenched. "I was so young that I thought emotions were a liability."
"You also thought Red Bull was dinner."
"I was trying to build an empire."
"And I was trying to... love you."
The air went still.
Alexander froze. His breath caught like it had tripped over something sharp.
Charlotte didn't even flinch. Her hands moved with clinical precision as she set a row of delicate spheres into what looked like a liquid nitrogen bath.
"You always left," she said, quietly now. "Recitals, prom, even my graduation. One time you sent a driver. One time you sent a gift card." She scoffed. "Do you know how depressing it is to receive a bouquet of banknotes instead of a bouquet of roses?"
Alexander exhaled slowly. "I didn't realize it hurt you that much."
"Well," she said, still not looking at him, "it's amazing what you can memorize when something matters to you."
Silence.
