linked with a million lights, none of which could reach the kind of stillness that Loraine Thorne crafted within the walls of her abode. Every d

no Damien

ed her. Damien's voice still echoed in her ears, wielding his praise like a whip and his criticism like a brandi

e buttons on his shirt, "that

into the velvet couch. "As warm as sit

dinner. A few months away and I h

her is almost always dra

d himself a glass of whisky, then looked at her i

llway and dipped her head. "

back, eyes closed. The leather creaked under her. All she wanted t

s warm against hers. "You know, if we start now, the bathtub would be the pe

, Michael, it won't be because Damien Thorne wil

e him that s

rushing her cheek. "Okay, scratch the gran

rom the table, and powered it on. The screen glowed against her face. "I'm

ointed. "You're always too tired, too busy, or co

crolling through unread emails. The sound of silen

ng, Loraine? We've been together four years. Four. You're telli

looking up. "Why is

Grandfather has

n Los Angeles. I moved across countries for you. I sit through dinners where your grand

nywhere you choose to. You drive cars from a different continent every quarter. You vacation in

e and tell me you are

ensed. "I knew

denly going to become a wife and start pushing out children because everyone expects me to? I

ase, be honest with me. If you don't see a future w

pause. Hea

h, but a shrill rington

grateful for the interrupti

written in every line of his bo

ed stopping hi

just seconds ago dimmed, blinked, a

She stood slowly, the tablet forgotten on the floor, her

nty minutes," she sai

asked, his voice

ce pale beneath her bronz

t is

e walked past him, toward the bedroom. Her heels clicked

He stood there, uncertain, watching

their connection whatever remained of i