"You don't have to stay," Jeffrey murmured as he wiped her neck and face gently with a warm towel.
Joanne's smile faltered.
The glow that had lit her face moments ago dimmed, shadowed by something quiet and sharp. She knew he meant well. Her rational mind reminded her that Jeffrey was on the cusp of closing the chapter on everything that had torn them apart. But still…
It hurt.
It hurt that he was pushing her away again, choosing to shoulder everything alone.
"I'm hurting too, Jo," he said softly. "I'm leaving you alone to handle your problems. I know how it feels."
"Exactly," she replied, her voice tight. "That's why we need to be together. That's the whole point, Jeffrey."
He hesitated. "Jo, I…"
But she didn't want excuses. Not this time.
Joanne turned her face away from him and lay on her side, showing him her back—closing herself off. Her silence was louder than anything she could have said.
"I just need to get through this Imperium mess," he said.
