"I don't hate you." Verity replied, her tone much more disheartened and defeated than before. She pulled the kettle off the stove and dropped in the leaves to begin seeping. That Ford thought he loved her was a ridiculous lie, one Verity would have scoffed at if she didn't feel so jagged and raw. He was supposed to be her big brother — her protector and hero. He was supposed to be outraged over what happened to her and swear to never do the same to another woman. He was supposed to be and do a great many things.
Ford had done none of them.
And yet, Verity didn't hate him. She couldn't — he was her big brother. However, she was irrationally hurt and was growing increasingly aware of it. "I don't hate you." Verity repeated as she turned her head to face him somewhat. "If you wouldn't mind, I think we should leave it there." Everything Verity had to add was either unfair to him or too vulnerable a statement to express in these circumstances. She needed time to rebuild her defenses, to shove away the old wounds his actions dug up and settle once more into her role of pretending. She would be better able to stomach this all in time.
Ford had done none of them.
And yet, Verity didn't hate him. She couldn't — he was her big brother. However, she was irrationally hurt and was growing increasingly aware of it. "I don't hate you." Verity repeated as she turned her head to face him somewhat. "If you wouldn't mind, I think we should leave it there." Everything Verity had to add was either unfair to him or too vulnerable a statement to express in these circumstances. She needed time to rebuild her defenses, to shove away the old wounds his actions dug up and settle once more into her role of pretending. She would be better able to stomach this all in time.
set by mj