Cutting Ties

Dexter stood there, stunned. He stared at Vivienne, his eyes searching her face for some clue as to what had changed. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Vivienne shook her head slightly, her voice soft but firm as she repeated the words that were already echoing in his mind.

“I can’t.”

“What?” he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. He took a step closer, his hands twitching