ut seeing a single word. Her mind was a storm. She couldn't eat, couldn't think, c

little, and she knew she couldn't hide forever. She pulled her cardigan tigh

could hide

an K

atching her since that day in the gallery. Every glance, every word, eve

she had to

ll be good for you to spend more time with Adrian, Amelia. You

mi

wisted lik

g Serena up the marble steps. The city lights glittered through the tall glass

against the skyline. He turned as they walked in, his e

harp, searching, like he was alrea

ly, almost like a gree

a smile. "G

n, darling, the view here is stunning. Amelia's never

n a small, polite smil

med, and candles shine brightly between them. Serena talked endl

sea, her throat tight. She tried to hide it, taking small si

ced. He alw

a call. "Don't wait for me. It's just the planner aga

it was just Am

eavy, the only sound the faint

chair, his eyes fixed on

mbled on her fork

u've been pale for days. You disappear often. And

ened. "You're i

piercing. "Don't insult me, Amelia. I know som

ibs. Fear rushed through her ve

tightened around the stem of his glass. Then his eyes

ia f

back tears. She wanted to deny it, to scre

rned, still chatting on the phone. "Honestly, Am

r voice breaking. "Maybe.

"Fine. Just don't ruin the rehears

er, his gaze burning into her as she g

*

sobs shaking her body. She pressed her palms to her

this. I can'

ve barely noticeable but real to her. "What will h

d Adrian like a trophy. She thought of Adrian's eyes, da

s, and every moment it crac

rry on as usual, but the univers

felt the wave of nausea return. She excused herself quickly, rushing

er eyes. She turned on the water to ma

s pale, sweaty, broken. She whispered fiercel

ned the door, he

n was

ll as if he had been waiting. His eyes narrowed

ck," he sa

ice cracked

whelming, his voice low and sharp. "How long were you goin

ned. "Adrian, p

ng near her stomach but not touching. His eyes burn

struck lik

no sound came. Tears spilled down her cheeks

oice rough, his control breakin

e echoed down the hall. "Amelia? Adri

est heaving. Adrian straightened, his mask snapping

, glancing at Serena. "Your

spiciously. "She looks awful. Amelia, are you s

ile through her te

ing room, Adrian's eyes found hers

.he would not stop un