Buried

"Why are you here?"

Elise's eyes stared at the man standing beside her mother, her entire frame trembling more the longer she looked at him.

Xavier. Elise's ex-boyfriend.

"Elise, honey, why are you talking to him like that? Is something wrong?" Niena asked, confused at her daughter's reaction.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am." Xavier flashed an apologetic smile to Niena before turning to Elise. "I just helped your sister change her punctured tire. I didn't even know she was a part of your family, Elise. All I wanted to do was help as it was pretty late. And, I was invited over for dinner. I didn't even ask to come here."

"She's not my sister. She's my mother, Xavier." Elise's breath hitched as she heard the words that left Xavier's mouth.

But, that sound also made her remember that sting of his betrayal, the echoes of his words were still fresh in her mind.

Seeing him here, in her safe space… in her own home, felt like an invasion.