Bella had told him to sleep. Said it had been a hard day.
But James couldn't. Not tonight.
After their conversation, after the hug that lingered a little too long, he pulled away and told her he needed time. Time to sit with his thoughts, to let them settle instead of running from them.
Bella didn't argue. She just gave him one last look, something between understanding and worry, before nodding. "Don't stay up too late," she said softly.
James didn't answer.
Now, he sat in the living room, sinking into the couch, staring at the tv.
Marcello.
The name sat in his chest like a weight that wouldn't lift.
He hadn't spoken about him for a long time.Hadn't let himself think about him for too long, because when he did, it always led back to that day. That room. That gun.
It should've been different.
