The weight of Megan’s lies hung over everything, twisting whispers and half-truths seemed to follow Betty and Marcus wherever they went. Betty could feel the change in him—the way he’d started pulling back, creating a distance that wasn’t there before.
With every avoided conversation, every muttered excuse, the truth was clear: he was retreating.
That evening, as they crossed paths near the campus fountain, Marcus barely spared her a glance. He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, his shoulders hunched against the cool evening air.
"Marcus," Betty called after him.
He stopped, turning slightly, but didn’t meet her eyes.
"What’s going on with you?" she demanded, stepping closer.
"Nothing," he muttered, his tone clipped.
"Don’t do that," she snapped, her frustration boiling over. "Don’t shut me out. Not after everything."
Marcus exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "I’m not shutting you out, Betty. I’m just trying to figure things out."
"Figure out what?"
His expression flickered—guilt, frustration, something else she couldn’t name—but he didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked past her, like he couldn’t bring himself to face her directly.
"Marcus, talk to me. Please."
He finally met her gaze, his eyes dark. "I’m not good at this," he said quietly. "I’m not good at... us."
"Then try. Because if you think I give up on you, then you don’t know me at all.".
Her words seemed to knock the air out of him. He stepped closer, his hands twitching at his sides like he was fighting with himself.
"You drive me crazy," he murmured. "And I can’t stop wanting you."
Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them, his hands cupping her face as he pulled her into a kiss. It was fierce, desperate, like he was pouring every ounce of his frustration and longing into that single moment.
Betty’s hands found his jacket, gripping it tightly as she kissed him back, her heart racing. The world around seemed to disappear.
When they finally pulled apart, Betty smiled faintly, her breath shaky. "Good," she whispered. "Now stop running."
***
Later that night, her phone buzzed and her heart skipping slightly when she saw Brent’s name on the screen.
I’ve got something that can resolve the Megan problem once and for all. Call me when you’re ready.