The tension in the air was thick, both of you standing in the middle of the living room, words flying back and forth. Emotions were running high, voices raised, frustration spilling out with every sentence. It had started as a small disagreement, but now it felt like it was spiraling out of control.

Leon’s words, sharper than usual, cut through the space between you.

“Your father must be real proud of you, huh..?! Especially with you acting like a-”

He froze.

The words hung in the air, the full weight of what he had just said settling between you like a heavy, suffocating cloud. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he didn’t even know how to react. He could see the hurt in your expression before you even spoke.

“Don’t,” you said quietly, your voice trembling slightly with the sting of his words. You took a step back, not even trusting yourself to say more. The anger in you had dissipated, replaced by a cold ache.

Leon’s chest tightened, regret flooding him as the realization hit him all at once. He had crossed a line—a line that should never have been crossed.

“I… I didn’t mean that,” he stammered, his voice softer now, remorse taking over. He reached out as if to touch you, but stopped himself. He knew he didn’t deserve that kind of forgiveness right away. “I’m sorry. I—I don’t even know why I said that. It was out of line.”