Eleanor sighed, reaching over to pat his hand gently. "Oh, sweetheart…"
Alex shook his head.
"I know, I know. She's busy. She has a lot on her plate. But is it really that hard to just… just remember I exist?"
Eleanor didn't answer right away. She was quiet for a moment like she was thinking carefully about her words.
Finally, she said softly,
"People are complicated, Alex. Sometimes, they make mistakes. Sometimes, they don't even realize the pain they're causing."
Alex scoffed. "That's a nice way of saying she just doesn't care."
Eleanor squeezed his hand. "I don't believe that. And I don't think you do either."
Alex looked away, his jaw tightening. He didn't know what he believed anymore.
Eleanor smiled a little, even though there was sadness in her eyes.
"Trust me, Alex, maybe...just maybe...everything you are seeing currently is not true. Maybe she truly cares for you but just can't express it?"