Of course. The thought came with bitter clarity. Of course he leaves.

She’d let herself hope, just for a second, that maybe this time would be different. That maybe he’d actually stay when it mattered.

But no. He always does his little shuffle when it counts.

Stupid to expect anything else. Patterns didn’t break just because you wanted them to.

I can’t let this break me. She blinked hard, once. I have a case to win. That’s what matters.

She took a breath, squaring her shoulders. The case. The clients. The work. That was real. That was solid.

Daniel’s hot-and-cold act? His inability to commit when it actually counted?

Doesn’t matter. Never did.

Without him. Like always.

The thought tasted bitter, but she swallowed it down anyway.