d without interruptio

ehow, mad

so distant like an outer space, every sound felt amplified, the faint hum of electricity meddling in her thoughts, the distant air conditioner sendin

oom, Ethan w

t because she heard him but because her body

e like it had gone on a vac

ng to wake up from the sham that's supposed to be her re

literacy. She settled for water, leaning a

when footsteps s

tu

in a way that suggested he hadn't slept either. No suit. No armor. Ju

rning,"

t strange com

" she r

but a smirk.They stood there for a moment, neith

close enough to touch but close enough to notice the

most of the d

you need." she stuttered, ra

that. "Ther

rse th

r alms. "Let'

ithout notic

reement to anyone. And if

ed," she fini

es

"And what does t

ly. "It means respect,

mmediately. "Good, because

her a

he said it, firm, almost

ng to leave but hesitated, ti

ge. If you need anything

said. "Your i

e leaving. When the door closed

rbing the reality poco a poco. Everything here belonged to Ethan Hale. The wealth, the silence,

ouch, legs tucked beneath her, scrolling thro

ck early,"

ended sooner

bering she was there. The moment lingered, too inti

. Not hostile. Jus

pushing her food around. "Y

p, surprise

id you say

xte

slowly. "T

es

st be s

ze. "She doe

n't mean s

is gaze. Not something defens

me this weeke

" Tara

"She'll mee

ough it was warned. "Yo

exhaled finally, "and what

r gaze. "

bomb that had finally

oked aw

just six mon

th a face. A role she hadn't auditioned f

ng to her room, she paused, her head titling half-way towa

ed up from

ued. "I won't hurt her. But don

once. "U

sed the door, leaning against it

oximity w

ent, unavoidable and i