POV: James
12:00 PM — I Knew He Was Home
Milo didn't say anything when he got back with the groceries.
Just looked at me.
That's how I knew.
Aaron was in the house again.
He didn't sneak in. He didn't apologize right away.
He just existed here again — like this was something we were supposed to adjust to.
And God help me, part of me was… relieved.
Which made me even angrier.
12:15 PM — The Knock
I stood outside his room.
Knuckles curled. Not raised.
The door was half-open. He was sitting on the edge of the bed like he'd been waiting for me.
"Dad."
That word still worked on me. Still had power.
Even now.
12:17 PM — Silence First
I didn't sit down.
I didn't say hello.
He didn't move.
So I asked:
"Do you want me to punch you?"
Aaron blinked. "What?"
"Because I've imagined it. Every day since you left."
He looked down.
"I imagined it in the garage. In the kitchen. In the backyard while I was watering the damn tomatoes."
He swallowed hard. "I deserve it."
