tingly quiet. Sometime in the deep of the night, the door creaked open. Olivia slipped into the room, s

ing alone," she whi

ill, feigning sleep, my muscles tensed, enduring her touch like a penance. Every breath she took felt like

n the front lock shattered the fragile peace.

ere the hel

as D

a stirred, her eyes fl

s she saw me awake. She quickly scrambled out of bed.

ir hushed, frantic whispers in the hallway.

e?" Olivia demanded. "Y

r father called me. Said Ethan called him last n

what he's talking about

finally grow a brain and figure it out? I told y

tating for a fraction of a second. She was torn between managing me, the husband, and placating him, the lover.

o get dressed. The sounds from the kitchen were faint but clear. I didn't

heads snapping towards me. Daniel glared at me with open hostility, a pred

"Danny just stopped by to talk abo

ents slow and deliberate. I

ing easily to her lips. "For a few weeks. Maybe a month. There'

ldn't travel for the rest of the year so we could spend more time together. Anoth

fee. The liquid was hot and bitter, a

ld have. She exchanged a quick, uncertain glance with Daniel. The