Chapter Text
Robyn bypasses Marcus’s place and finds him on the porch, hugging and saying goodbye to Vanessa. The boys are already in the car; everyone laughs about something Stefon says. Then, Vanessa slides into the driver’s seat, glancing over at Marcus with a playful grin.
“See you later, handsome,” she calls out, her voice lighthearted but just familiar enough to make Robyn tense.
The boys chime in from the back seat, waving excitedly. “See you later, Dad!”
Marcus chuckles, lifting a hand in a lazy wave as Vanessa pulls out of the driveway.
He lingers for a moment, watching the car disappear down the road.
Smiling wistfully.
Then, he turns and his breath catches.
Robyn stands a few feet away, still as stone.
Marcus’s smile falters immediately, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. The easy warmth he had felt a moment ago is replaced by dread, sharp and unforgiving.
Her face is unreadable, but he knows...he knows she saw everything.
Marcus’s lips part, searching for words, some kind of explanation, but nothing comes.
Robyn doesn’t ask. She doesn’t demand an answer.
She just shakes her head once... a small, barely perceptible movement, but it says everything.
Then, without a word, she turns and walks away.
“Robyn!” Marcus calls after her, his voice urgent.
She doesn’t stop.
She reaches her car, throws open the door, and gets in. Marcus takes a step forward, but before he can reach her, the engine roars to life.
Within seconds, she’s gone.
Dante exhales sharply, rubbing the back of his neck as he watches her disappear down the road, his stomach twisting.
This misunderstanding could spiral.
And he has no idea how to stop it.
He tries calling her phone, but she doesn't pick up.
Shortly afterwards.............
Marcus paces his living room; phone pressed to his ear.
Robyn isn’t picking up. Again.
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. This isn’t good.
He decides to call Aunt Vi instead.
When Aunt Vi answers, her tone is calm but expectant. “Marcus. What is it?”
Marcus exhales. “Robyn. She... she saw something she didn’t like, and now she won’t talk to me. Is she at home or with you?”
Aunt Vi raises a brow, though Marcus can’t see it over the phone. “And what exactly did she see?”
Dante hesitates. He doesn’t know how to explain it without making it sound worse than it is.
“It's a long story, wouldn't want to burden you with it.”
Silence.
Aunt Vi sighs after a beat. “Ohhh boy.”
Dante pinches the bridge of his nose. “It wasn’t what it looked like, but she...she won’t answer my calls. I don’t want this to get out of hand.”
“Well, she is not home or with me for that matter, but I’ll see what I can do,” Aunt Vi says. “No promises.”
Marcus sighs, nodding. “Thanks.”
As soon as the call ends, Marcus stares down at his phone, willing Robyn to answer.
She doesn’t.
Frustrated and restless, Marcus grabs his jacket and heads to the Sanctum, hoping Robyn will be there.
She isn’t.
Harry and Mel exchange glances as Marcus walks in. “Looking for Rob?” Mel asks knowingly.
“She’s not picking up her phone,” Marcus mutters, running a hand through his hair.
Harry crosses his arms. “What happened?”
Marcus exhales. “She saw me with Vanessa.”
Mel winces dramatically. “Oof. That’s not good.”
Marcus groans, rubbing his face. “I messed up, didn’t I?”
Mel doesn’t even hesitate. “Ohhh yeah. Big time. You really need to sort this out. Good luck!”
Marcus sighs. “Wait do you know where she is?”
Mel smirks. “Nope. and we are not getting in the middle of this!"
Mel continues. " Especially you Harry!"
“When Rob ghosts someone, she really does it well,” she adds.
“Can you at least tell me where she stays?” Marcus asks.
Mel replies. “You’re a detective, you can always find out yourself... but that might just make things worse.”
Dante is lost for words. He doesn’t want this misunderstanding to spiral out of control, but he also doesn’t know what to do. He’s been at the house, trying to call Robyn, but she’s not picking up. He even called Aunt Vi, who said she’d see what she could do, but no promises.
Marcus exhales, knowing this isn’t going to be easy.
Once Dante leaves the Sanctum, Harry turns to his wife and says, “Honey, they are both our friends. Shouldn’t we help them resolve the misunderstanding?”
Mel looks at Harry and replies, “They need to figure this one out on their own. Besides, I’m on Team Robyn for this one.”
Harry knows better than to argue with his wife, so he lets the matter go—but not before sending a text to Dante:
“Hey man, sorry about earlier. I would send you Robyn’s address, but that would put me in all sorts of trouble. So, here’s a tip, remember when you handled the shooting case for Delilah's friend? I’m sure her address is noted down somewhere. Or you could simply call Aunt Vi and ask her. Good luck, buddy.”
Marcus smiles after reading the text and replies, “Thanks, Harry.”
Marcus then decides to head to Manny’s gym first to clear his mind.
Meanwhile, after leaving Dante’s place.......
Robyn drives aimlessly through the city, her grip tight on the steering wheel. She isn’t headed anywhere specific, just away.
She finally pulls into a secluded parking lot near an old overlook and just… sits there.
The scene with Marcus replays in her mind over and over again. Vanessa in his arms. His smile. Stefon’s words.
"Mom and Dad are getting back together. I just know it."
Was that the truth? Had she been fooling herself this entire time?
She knows Vanessa is still a part of Marcus’s life, but the scene she just witnessed felt too intimate. Is this why Stefon keeps thinking his father is getting back together with his mom? They looked like a happy family, and she felt like an intruder.
Her chest tightens as her throat burns.
Tears spill over.... silent, aching.
She didn’t want to hear Marcus’s explanation at the moment; she feared the worst.
She doesn’t pick up when Marcus calls. She doesn’t check her messages.
She just sits there, staring into the distance, wondering how it all fell apart so quickly.