LE

came to a

apped in silk and lies. I was just Lena Martinez again-str

barely hearing the

ont of me, towering above me like a man carved from stone.

rutiny. He looked like a man re-examining somethin

, tilting his head slightly.

ced myself to swallow, to remain

he corners of his mouth as his shoulders relaxed. That seriousness f

rather go hungry than step your foot

while my mind searched for a l

ed it. Physically we were identical, but beyon

e changed," I

. As though he didn't believe a wo

ie came to me. "I've been doing something low

ately got h

urprised face. "With the wedding coming up... I just thought...

ce fo

crossed his face. His expression softened completely. Befo

me. It was slow and full of so

ou," he w

k. Kimberly would have said them back without hesitation. But gu

e you

nd he smiled at me, pressing

d his jacket. I needed to put some distance between us before my compo

d as he slumped into the chair,

owards the kitchen with that same p

now it was the only part of the house I could conveniently hide

alone. How was I going to survive six months of this? Six months of being close to

more hiding. No more distance to re

the urgency. The way my body had responded, melting into him. I had forgott

upposed to

of the counter, closing my eyes briefly

a's face

told me of how Sofia was getting better day by day.

r voice was stronger than it had been in weeks

. It eased the panic a bit. While this wasn't going

t thought. Six months could pass like six days if I focu

do thi

hanging on a hook and tied it around my waist.

ting facts the way he'd done earlier.

ea

h herbs, butter, garlic... Carefully, I washed, chopped and seasoned. I

everything was normal and peaceful until I felt that unmistakable prickle at the

then whip

ing by the doorw