so tall and imposing it looked like it belonged in a gothic novel. Beyond it sprawled a structure that whispered wealth and screamed silence. T

weather. Damon didn't offer his hand. He stood at the entrance, already speaking to the house manager, a gr

th a tight nod. It took me a

rolling off her tongue. A name stit

floors that stretched out like glass beneath chandeliers. Every step echoed. Eve

w but firm. "It has its own sitting room, library,

d, though the word

it belonged in a museum, gold frames, oil paintings, and enough silence to

er

that danced with the wind. But it felt empty. Like a hotel room no one ever stayed in. It loo

space," he said

ated. "

pau

ing to be? Separate

ond. There was something there. Weariness

" he said finally. Then

icked shut.

**

urnal on the nightstand, the only thing that felt

perfect, but no

up somewhere between the courthouse vows and the car ride to this mansion. All that re

t n

ame time. A grand dining room with a table so long it could host a diplomatic summit. He sat at

dn't

served i

our new

**

pressive, like living inside a painting. Every room was curated, every objec

the phone, in the gym. Always alone. Always distant. We

kitchen and our fingers brushed. He pulled away like he'd been burned. Or the night I walked pas

inst the wal

n, then. Ju

ages and forgotten stories. I ran my fingers along the spines, searching for

ers out, But to see who would

ok and held it

yone

ed that

host," she said aft

be I

You're real. You're

way Damon avoided my eyes like they were mirrors

was done, she said, "Start small. Make one thing yours. O

soft blankets, lit a candle that smelled like vanilla and cedar, stack

I wr

day, I

usband. The way the light filtered through

otsteps outside my door. A

ror

n's

luttered i

es

oked tired, the tie from his sui

it to feel like thi

ed. "Li

a pr

what did you mean f

w. I guess I thought we'd just...get through

ing, Damon. Tha

n, really looked. "

rel

g sil

me tomorrow? I mean, really have dinner

e I could over

of pasta and a bottle of wine. We sat in my

sn't

was som

e this?"

d. But I carried it myse

mall, strange sound I

the fact that he once tried to learn Fren

at I missed mo

home," I said

quiet.

shared

my journal. I didn't need to.

till up. But for the f

t was