My hands were steady as I sliced the lemon and measured the ho

oward the living room. They were talking, their voices a low murmu

on. Seven days. A c

and bright, surged through me. Seven days.

pped the phone back into my pocket ju

his voice casual, but his

him. My mind raced, sear

," I said, turning to face him with a placid

d, replaced by a soft, possessive look that used to m

t from behind. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his breath warm again

a kiss to

ght... I don' t know. I can' t stand the thought of y

our reflection in the polished steel of the refrigerator. He look

. He' d used that love to chain me to him, to excuse

His "love" was a sickness, a selfish need

s I gently extricated myself from his grasp. It was a small act of defia

riefly touching his lip

Don' t keep h

s lounging on the sofa, looking perfectly at home. S

tea on the coffee ta

ea, Dr.

ok a delicate sip, a

weet, Emily. Could

aking to a child or a servant. It w

e the fight would have started.

apolo

d in more lemon juice, and returned. I set

k anoth

he cup down with a clatter. "My throat is very sensitive.

. I could feel the anger, hot and familiar, rising in my c

gar bowl on the tray, took a clean spoon, and scoop

. Howard," I said, my voice flat. "

sive-aggressive act

en in fury. She turned to Declan, her face inst

ng. "Did you see that? She' s being rud

her hands clen

condition, and your fiancée treats me like this! If she' s going

eave. It always worked. Declan was terrified of being aband

d myself, to point out the

she was th

!" Declan' s voice was

to me, facing Christie. His

head, his gaze

ize to C

im, incredulous. He couldn't be serious. He had seen

" I wh

one he used when he wanted to manipulate me. "You know I do. My recovery d

o validate a liar, all for his own self

ress. Declan had overheard. He' d calmly walked over, dressed the man down with a few quiet, cutting words

was demanding I b

died a final, painful death in that moment. It crumbled in

was just a possession, a familiar comfort he wa

ay the part. For

ion. I looked past him, at Christie' s triumphant

t like poison

to be in that room

said, turning away. "I'

ed up the stairs, the sound of Declan' s soft, placating voi