"I love you."

The words sank into the conversation like a heavy stone cast into deep waters. Satisfied with the statement she had made, she stubbed her cigarette into the watery remains of her meal and looked into his eyes expectantly. Her teardrops splashed against stained porcelain. Quietly, she took note of the ripple effect her words had caused. A tightening in the base of her throat attempted to seal off the anger boiling within her. She swallowed deliberately, desperate to control her growing resentment of the lie that had previously escaped. Depression rolled off her in waves. Megan dragged her nails lightly against the tumbler before her. Condensation nestled in the curve of cupped hands.

Pleased, he curled his lips into a smug smirk. He bound a linen napkin tightly round his fingers to scrape moist residue from the corners of his mouth, then brushed the soiled cloth against her lashes to dab what he believed to be tears of joy from her eyes. He nodded emphatically.

"I know."