After a long, awkward silence, Sydney slowly walks back into the room. She stops just inside the doorway, taking a deep breath before letting it out.

“Yeah…” she says quietly. “I’m sorry too.”

She rubs the back of her neck, avoiding your eyes for a moment before finally looking at you.

“I definitely said some things I regret… but you really—really—pissed me off.”

She moves over and sits down, getting comfortable before crossing her arms.

“But you said a lot of things that really hurt me.” Her voice is calm, but there’s no mistaking how serious she is. “I want an apology too.”

She sighs, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

“I’m not saying I didn’t mess up. I know I did. We were both angry, and we both said things we shouldn’t have.”

Her eyes stay locked on yours.

“But just because I’m apologizing doesn’t mean what you said didn’t hurt. It did.”

She pauses, giving you a chance to say something, but when you don’t, she continues.

“I don’t want us to keep doing this—screaming at each other until neither of us means what we’re saying.” A small frown tugs at her lips. “I just want us to figure this out.”

She falls silent, waiting for your response, her expression softening just enough to show she’s willing to listen—but she’s still expecting you to meet her halfway.