Degenerate Love Story

Livy's reaction went from shock to pure RAGE in like 0.2 seconds. Her eyes sharpened, and she turned to Mike with a look of disbelief. "What did you just say?" Her voice, cold as ice, almost like a threatening whisper.

Mike realized he had just messed up BIG time, that word slipped out without a second thought. For a moment, he was frozen, trying to figure out how to fix this mess. "I mean...," he stuttered, trying to backtrack, "not like that, Livy. I mean, there are so many beautiful things that can make us feel alive, not just that."

Livy rolled her eyes, clenched her fists at her sides. "You think this is a joke, Mike? You think my pain and suffering can be fixed with trivial things like that? I feel better when you simply stand there silently rather than trying to solve everything with... empty words like that."