Rick stood frozen for a moment, his breath steady but his grip on the knife tightening. He hadn't seen her in months, hadn't thought he'd ever have to face her again. But here she was, right in front of him, staring at him with a mixture of defiance and disbelief.

The battle raged around them—gunfire, shouts, the distant sound of walkers—but in this moment, everything else faded into the background. It was just him and her. Just the two of them, locked in a cruel twist of fate.

"Why?" Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, one that Rick knew all too well. He could still hear her laugh, feel the warmth of her skin, the way she used to kiss him with reckless abandon, the kind of love that made him believe the world would be alright. But now? That seemed like another lifetime.

He swallowed hard, the taste of regret heavy on his tongue. His eyes flicked to her neck, where the blade was dangerously close to drawing blood, but he couldn't bring himself to move it. He didn’t want to do this. He didn't want to hurt her, but the world had changed. She was a threat now. Or was she? Could she still be the woman he once loved?

"Why'd you do it, huh?" Rick's voice was rough, hoarse from the strain. "Why turn your back on me? On all of us?" His breath hitched as he forced himself to meet her eyes. He had questions, but he wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answers.