CHAPTER FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR – THE MAN HE WAS VS THE MAN HE IS

"And what if I can't?" Marco shot back. "What if the pressure of being the man you remember is too much? What if I need someone who doesn't have all these expectations of who I should be?" Jasmine recoiled as if she'd been slapped. "Is that how you see me? As someone with expectations? Marco, I love you. All of you. The man you were, the man you are now." Marco's anger seemed to deflate, leaving him looking tired and lost. "I know you do, Jasmine. And I... I care for you too. But I can't be the Marco you remember. Not completely. And sometimes, being around Zaya is just... easier." "Easier," Jasmine repeated, the word tasting like ashes in her mouth. "So that's it? You're choosing the easy path?" Marco shook his head. "I'm not choosing anything. I'm just... I don't know what I'm doing, Jasmine. I'm lost." Jasmine felt tears pricking at her eyes. "And I'm right here, Marco. I've always been right here, waiting for you to find your way back to me." She turned and walked to the bedr