Anthony watched Claire leave the room, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. He wanted to call out to her, to ask her to come back, to hold her close and tell her everything. But the words caught in his throat, and he remained silent. He knew he was hurting her, but he felt trapped, unable to share the burden he was carrying. He had to protect her, even if it meant pushing her away.
As the door slammed shut behind Claire, Anthony let out a long, shaky breath. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes, but he blinked them away. He couldn't afford to break down, not now. He had to keep it together, for both of their sakes.
