"Don't say it."
His steps falter as he recoils from her words.
Will justifications not do today?
"It's the same, Jin. Always the fucking same."
Her words are biting – cruel even as she throws them at him.
But it's the truth.
Is he any less cruel to her?
He doesn't think about what he says, not anymore. Withered in him is the desire to speak, to breathe, to live.
Parting his lips, thoughtless sound escape him.
"It's only for today." He murmurs; using what she always referred to as his "Doctor" voice. What he considers soothing she considers condescending.
"Only for today? You live in today!"
Spinning around to face him, her agony is clearly etched across her features.
He wished she hadn't.
It's easier to pretend that way.
Slowly she raises her hand towards him.
He doesn't flinch.
"Everything you do Jin, everything is for her." Her voice raises into shrill octaves; the brittleness of it all stinging his ears. "Don't think I don't notice that you keep her locket in your pocket or that you don't think "I wish it was her" when we're together!"
Her chest heaves as her anger sputters. With a hiss of disgust she moves away from him; her arms coming to protectively wrap around her chest.
"You love her. Still."
Still.
As if he could forget her.
She was Sophie.
She was Sophie in the morning; Sophie when she had slept in his arms; Sophie when she whispered her fantasies and desires to him.
She was his love.
In her place was a crude replacement.
"Say something" Chloe demands; her voice cracking.
But he doesn't.
For there was nothing he could say that would bring her back.
The door slams; the weak frame of the house shaking.
His heart weeps.