"What about Tiffany?"
"I don't feel anything," Shane replied simply.
They were both men. He did not need to hide anything from Rick. So long as they chatted amicably.
Rick smiled again. "Then why did you choose Tiffany?"
"I have a responsibility that I have no choice but to uphold."
"What if, and I'm saying what if, you're giving up a newer responsibility for an old one, which will cause you to be responsible for it in the future? Which one will you choose to take on then?"
Shane frowned.
Rick simply asked the question, but did not ask for an answer. He turned around and said, "Lottie, go to sleep."
Charlotte didn't think that she would be seen. She came out of her corner and said, "Okay." Then she turned around and went upstairs.
Rick followed closely behind, leaving Shane standing there as if he was a sculpture in the living room.
......
The next day.
Charlotte got up and went downstairs, but she didn't see Shane.