long enough to have a quick dinner before disappearing into his office in the mansion. We never had deep conversatio

garden, or simply staring out the window, hoping to see s

ked like a dream. But to me, it wa

pened. Nolan walked in calmly, took off his jacket, and carel

k I had been pre

e," I said, more to

my presence didn't matt

his sleeves, his movements relaxed-like everything was nor

ep early," I

ur himself a drink. No words. No effor

feeling more an

a wife if you'r

e. His expression was hard to read.

question. "I'd rather be a

ked toward me, his face calm-but there was

ermission for that," he said,

e to snap back. "And I don't rememb

ent

e laughed softly-not because something was f

bborn," he

out backing down. "A

wn his glass, and walked to the door. Befo

ep. I have

long sigh af

nd inside these luxurious walls, I felt more and mo

by without a

here. He'd show up late at night and be gone before I woke up. And eve

d

in this mansion li

eautiful-but

nce tried going farther than usual, just to feel what it was like to "break the rules." But

orced a smile. "Just w

didn'

ward again-and they

usly,

ave me a look that clearly sai

up, turning back

t even allowed a

p to the sound of fo

ing strange. I blinked, trying to adj

as pressing

t this

hes from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek.

less. My movement only made Nol

move,

"Nolan,

closer, his face buried in the curve of m

This i

let go

, I wouldn't want it to be crushed u

spered, trying

nd deliberately let go. But before I could

tiny in my

172 cm (about 5'8"). But unfortunately, this

rom him. Behind me, I h

him. "What

p his phone and checked somethi

. "You come home

ea

it? Jus

trapped in this place. And everyone acts like it's norm

ed at me

threw a pillow

asily, like he

otectin

even know if the outside world still exists. Has the apoca

phone. "The outside world isn'

. "Is it the world that's da

dn't

near the closet. "I'm bored,

nd walked toward me. I took a step back out of instinct, but he

you?" he said in a low,

not to show fear. "The

, then smirked, his expression fu

y wanted to punch him, but I

and gave him my most defian

casually. "I k

anything, he stepped back and picked up hi

liev

am. Throw someth

ad an idea.

desk, grabbed a pen and a sheet o

er briefly. "Wha

hen held up the pape

UNGER STRIKE UNTI

a few seconds, then raise

sharp look. "

nd looked at me with an

he la

ction I was

o funny?"

s grin widening. "I'm curi

my jaw. "

oment, I real

with force. I might not be able t

born

game, I was going to make d