Unwanted Roses

Valerie’s POV

“I…I’m sorry,” I said, my voice coming out thin. “I just… I’m really tired.”

I couldn’t look at Arthur’s face for too long. The disappointment was already there, even if he was trying to hide it. Guilt crawled up my throat like something sour.

“Oh,” he said quietly. “Oh.”

He hesitated like he wanted to fix it, like he was searching for the right words.

“Honey, I..”

“It’s fine,” he cu