The Proof

Leon's jaw clenched, his eyes cold but searching. "You think I don't see it? You think I'm the one who's blind? I'm not stupid, Emma. This doesn't make sense."

"I know it doesn't make sense," she shot back, her voice rising in frustration. "But if you would just stop running from it… just for a second, you might see what I'm trying to tell you! You're part of this, too. You're part of a story, but that doesn't make you any less real. That doesn't mean I… don't love you, Leon. That doesn't make everything we've shared any less meaningful."

She stopped in front of him, her eyes desperate for him to understand. "Please, don't shut me out. I need you to hear me, really hear me. I've been afraid too, but we can't keep pretending this isn't happening."