Eugene deflated even further when she spoke next, knowing this would be it. He couldn't blame her, it was a lot, she was still young, she had plenty of reasons not to.

He watched her approach curiously, the move in stark contrast to her statement and he found himself frozen in uncertainty. As she continued, he felt the knot in his stomach release bit by bit. Gently he reached out toward her, but was unsure of what he really aimed to do. "There is nothing she could ever say or do that would convince me to try again, even for convenience, even for Theseus. That ship has sailed." Leaving with no word had been the last straw after a year of misery. "She can no longer be considered family." He couldn't, wouldn't, allow her to upset his life anymore.

"I'm ready to move on and I still hope it is to be with you." He cast her a hopeful, if sheepish smile.