Chapter 15
Victor asked to see me after six months.
I agreed.
We met in the garden.
No guards within hearing.
Titan visible through the fence.
Not because I wanted symbolism.
Because Victor asked.
He looked older.
Not physically.
Something inside him had stopped performing.
“I miss him.”
I followed his gaze.
“Titan?”
“Yes.”
The dog watched us.
Did not growl.
Did not approach.
Victor swallowed.
“I trained him when he was a puppy.”
I knew.
“That’s why this bothers me.”
“What?”
“He trusted me.”
There it was.
Finally the correct word.
Not obeyed.
Trusted.
“And I used that.”
“Yes.”
Victor looked away.
“I keep thinking about Sophia.”
“What about her?”
“She walked toward him when every adult backed away.”
I said nothing.
“I would have called that stupidity before.”
“And now?”
“Maybe she knew something we didn’t.”
I looked at Titan.
“She knew he was scared.”
Victor’s face tightened.
That landed.
He nodded.
“I was too.”
I looked at him.
No excuse.
He knew.
“I thought if I wasn’t necessary to you, I was nothing.”
There.
Clean.
Painful.
“Are you?”
“What?”
“Nothing?”
He almost smiled.
“No.”
“Good.”
He waited.
“Do I get anything back?”
“No.”
Honest.
His face fell.
“Not now.”
I continued.
“Maybe never.”
He nodded slowly.
“But you asked the wrong question.”
He looked at me.
“Instead of asking what rank comes back, ask what relationship could.”
Silence.
Victor stared toward Titan.
“Does he ever come near me again?”
“His choice.”
That hurt.
Good.
No relationship should be restored by authority.
Not with people.
May you like
Not with dogs.
Not with family.
