diffe

ded. More

lately he lingers. At breakfast. On the balcony. In the hallway o

terri

te that

to last. But here I am, memorizing the way his eyes crease

it's not

m is a lie wrapped in someth

ther again. No staf

ite wine sauce. He h

ching me like I'm someone

anged," he

ou. I'm a

re like a

ined. "Maybe I'm just

quiet

room, he sits bes

about you last

"What kind

laughing. In a yellow dress

don't a

ers brushing a cu

ll diffe

ath ca

isse

ack,not because I shoul

intoxicating,

s away

tart trying,

no

ing coils

e. It's his too. He's loving the wr

ing this for my fa

I'm not

ng, I found th

the drawer whe

g at me like

ne se

one

elope again, ho

th

markings. Jus

m what h

ould

know about the swi

ree

have tol

nd? A

d to c

ans

t. No

atches at

son who might know

Eliora's name a

ag

café she and Elior

ice the differe

od. To

r match

a new spa. I n

ve I been actin

"Since when ar

seriously. Lik

pa

. Not texting as much. And yo

ven know there wa

tell yo

"Just said Adrian ne

ng... odd? About Adri

her eyes. "A

hecking if I've..

sa le

going on, but if you're i

head. "No

es me. Lo

em different, Elio

erent

u're finally let

ly, but it makes

't know t

omeon

ion, I find Adri

through old

ng?" I ask, keepi

" he says. "My father's bee

lk c

rns a

ncle, Marcian. A powerful man wi

still wants a

t about wanting. It

ied th

st your unc

tiff

even a

hy

loses th

ns to me, and there's no c

p bre

do you

ur wedding. The business, the assets... if

ather agree

ought a child would come quickly. N

ances

ok a

knew the

ried was never capabl

in front of him... mi

t, I drea

ing on the edge,

I finally he

Short.

d to ta

a parked c

eup. N

st

ur messag

t send a

s. "The onesi

her head. "

en

interrupts. "I think some

cold.

Tinted windows. Same

think it'

busy kissing y

ore t

nows. And the

no

aybe it's tim

tighten

We agreed until the heir. But no

m n

. You're fall

't de

sc

t you? When the truth comes

keep it burie

lready shak

e back. My hus

, firmer no

get to de

not r

pa

isper: "I mis

g inside

ha

a test.

re at

u're in

e. Shaken. "A

ck, brea

e preg

no

with eyes full of

home, Eliana

udden

t I had just crumbl

e. And this entire house of