I ARRIVED AT MY BEACH HOUSE EXPECTING PEACE-YILUX

Not avoidance.

Something harder.

Something honest.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

But real.

Megan stared at him like she didn’t recognize him anymore.

“Robert—”

“Now,” he said.

And that was it.

The moment.

The line.

The thing that doesn’t undo itself once it’s done.

People started moving.

Slowly at first.

Then faster.

Grabbing bags.

Shoes.

Coolers.

Voices continue reading …