ci

up with that shameless nickname. The vibration see

composure, but I could see the subtle tensio

an avalanche of text messages, each notification more demanding than the last. Bold

thicker, nearly palpable in

wer it?" I asked, my voi

lancing at the screen, he powered it off and placed it b

"You're still a little warm," he said softly. "It's not

my eyes, my body rigid de

ntently as Xavier retrieved his phone. His footsteps were soft as h

coming right over..." His voice was a hushed wh

bedroom, grabbed hi

ed, my eyes snapped open

o changes his mind is like rotten fr

r in the morning

relief. He approached, touched my forehead

mingling with my own bitter thoughts. When he emerged wearing his robe, he slid into bed besi

up. I studied his sleeping form with cold detachment-the handsome features I

of small, distinctive bite

b him through the heart with a sterling silver dagger, so that th

.

ed an apron and prepared breakfast for both of us, call

you sleep longer?" Xavier approache

his touch. "It was just a s

ked at his empty hand, momentarily awkward, but seemed r

ing with you," I began, m

asked, taking a

from my position

ve been focused on work for years. I'm tired. I want to experience what

trying to determi

u're not joking?

't reach my eyes. "What, do you think I'm some kin

might be good for you. You can stay home. We

plan, isn't it? Make me your breeding machine while you continue y

I'm thinking of traveling to Europe-I've made plan

y? She has time to travel with you?

my smile bright and false. "She

something clearly

for you. I'll arrange everything in advance. You won

ing nor declining his offer. By then,

n't want to appear at the office looking like a victim

cked my clothes, shoes, and personal ite

losets were visibly emptying-anyone payi

remained

was home. He was too engrossed in his phone, alternating between

cond to look through the floor-

atching him smile at his phone,

d my fingertips, I released it

In the picture, I looked so sweet, so happy, and his eyes were full of nothing but me.

ted my chest. I stared at those ashes,

re you

iced the activity

me. "Nothing important, just some..." I turned to look at him, my slightly

ck black smoke, regarding me as if I'd gone mad

e thorough," I

urrowed in

t trace of light on the horizon was swallowed by darkne