Eli talking fast.
Ava correcting him.
Marcus keeping up like he had been part of this dynamic for years.
I looked at them.
+20 POS
Then at the window.
Then back at them.
“Ermm,” I said. “Should I get down so you all can discuss properly?”
“Honestly?” Eli said.
“Yes.”
Ava nodded.
“It would help the flow.”
I laughed.
“Ungrateful children.”
We arrived at the restaurant.
It was… a lot.
Fancy.
Quiet.
Everything polished.
Marcus had already booked everything.
Of course he had.
We were seated.
Menus handed over.
Eli read like he was studying for an exam.
Ava skimmed.
Efficient.
2 to 3
11.3
4
“I’ll have this,” Eli said, pointing. “But I want the sauce on the side. Actually no. Half on the side.”
The waitress blinked.
“Of course.”
Ava didn’t even look up.
“Typical you.”
They ordered.
I ordered.
Marcus ordered.
We waited.
+20 PS
The kids drifted into another conversation.
mething alam QR codes.
Don’t ask me how
Didn’t react immediately.
Just… listened.
“Back how?” he asked.
Calm.
“He showed up as a client,” I said.
+20 POL9
“Of course he did.”
Asmall pairse
“And?” he asked.
I told him.
Not everything at once.
But enough.
The marriage.
The silence.
The years.
The mess.
The part I never say out loud.
He didn’t rush me.
Didn’t fill the silence.
Just stayed there.

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