Le's Soldier

Part 68

The day had already been long.

⸻

06:30 PM — Lilly Gets Home

The door shut a little harder than usual.

Not slammed — but enough.

Lilly stepped inside, shoulders tight, jaw set from a full day of training. Cadets had been slow. Tommy had been talking too much. Everything had felt just slightly off.

"Leah?" she called.

No answer.

She moved into the living room.

Leah sat on the couch, blanket wrapped around her, arms crossed. The TV was on but muted. Her face looked... off.

Not sick.

Something else.

"There you are," Lilly said, softer now. "You okay?"

Leah didn't look at her. "Where were you?"

Lilly frowned. "Work."

"You're late."

"By like... twenty minutes."

Leah shrugged, still not looking at her. "Right."

Lilly stepped closer slowly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Leah."

"I said nothing."

Lilly exhaled quietly. She dropped her bag, sitting on the edge of the couch. "You don't look like nothing."

Leah finally looked at her — eyes sharp, defensive.

"Who were you with?"

Lilly blinked. "...what?"

"After work."

"I just said — work."

Leah let out a dry laugh. "Yeah. Sure."

Something in Lilly's chest tightened.

"Okay," she said carefully. "What's this actually about?"

Leah stood up suddenly. "Don't act like I'm stupid."

"I'm not."

"You're late. You're off your phone. You come home acting like everything's normal—"

"Because it is normal," Lilly cut in, still calm but firmer now.

Leah shook her head, pacing slightly. "You've been distant."

"I've been at work."

"You're always at work."

"That's my job."

"And I'm what?" Leah snapped. "Just... here?"

Lilly stood now too, confusion creeping in. "What are you talking about?"

Leah's eyes filled slightly, but she pushed through it.

"Are you cheating on me?"

Silence.

Heavy. Immediate.

Lilly didn't move.

"...what did you just say?" she asked quietly.

Leah's breath was shaky now, emotions spilling over. "Don't act like you didn't hear me."

Lilly stared at her.

"...you think I'm cheating on you?"

"You're never here, you're distracted, you're—"

"I'm working," Lilly said, sharper now. "And when I'm not working, I'm with you."