Rowena inhaled slowly. “Ashley,” she said, gently but firmly, “this isn’t about you.” The words landed wrong, sharp instead of soothing. Ashley shook her head. “That’s always been your answer,” she snapped. “Nothing is ever about me with you.”
Bill shifted behind Ashley, his shoes scraping softly against the floor. “Ash,” he said quietly. She turned on him. “No,” she said. “Not yet.” His mouth closed, his shoulders tense. The silence stretched, thick with something Ashley couldn’t yet name.