"You hate him because he liked you?" Aiden asked. He already knew the answer. Roger had told him before, but he wanted to hear it from Sylvia herself. "You always act bitter toward him."
"If you're going to talk about him, then leave. Or I'll kick you out," she warned.
Aiden sighed, unfazed by her hostility. "I'm just trying to understand your perspective. Don't get worked up," he said before calmly resuming his meal.
A heavy silence settled between them as they finished eating, neither willing to break it. When they were done, Aiden helped Sylvia toss the empty boxes into the bin.
"You should go," Sylvia said, crossing her arms. Then, after a pause, she added, "Thank you for having dinner with me." She didn't tell him how much she yearned for a family; how much she missed the feeling of belonging because for her, having one had always been impossible.
Before Aiden could reply, Coco meowed, breaking the silence.
