Saya blanked out at Ren's frankness. The words hit hard and clean. Faced with the question, she had nothing ready to give back but air.
"I-I… I don't know," she said at last, staring at her fidgeting fingers resting on her lap. The napkin crumpled between them. "All I know is… I don't want to lose all of you. Can't we just make up and go back to how we were?"
Leonel wetted his lips, then pressed them shut, buying time with a long drink of water. The glass clinked when he set it down. He looked at Ren from under his lashes, waiting. Ren only leaned into his chair and crossed his arms, posture relaxed but edged with steel.
"You're still denying reality," Ren said. His voice was even, not cruel, but there was no room left for misunderstanding. "I'm done playing house. Our friendship is already over. A rift this big doesn't mend. To begin with, our friendship wasn't that deep. I'm sure you felt that too."
Saya's throat worked. No words came.
