re jo

es flexed as he turned in my direction. The woman on the couch had her le

ng you until the

replied, stepping further

uld I be flattered or insulted that

Julian said, his

faded. "

lena. This isn't

smug to brittle in seconds. There was history-lik

n our wedding night?" I

ility. "This isn't a marriage. It's a legal agreement

hen it's i

It's mine. You slee

g or the west? There's a

. "This was

aligned complete

reful, sweetheart. He's no

ile. "I'm not as

jaw ticke

ed out like she'd won a crown. The door clicked shu

after our vows," I said. "And

be here. I told her no

oured her

lf-empty glass. "She

makes it

sa, I don't owe you exp

wanted me to pretend we were married and show me off lik

hat this is.

to. The arrogance

"You knew what you

up for anyone t

Then you should get u

ave, but his v

never i

fr

it was a fact-co

t the poin

what i

n treat me the same way.

u a

to me like I'm disposable. I signed

ld your

l own m

ell the aftershave. "You think this is ab

re terrified to fe

ith a slight movemen

afraid I mig

e'd walk away. But then he leaned in, as if about to say

"Don't mistake t

n stop making i

back. I lef

, but I couldn't sleep. I paced and stared at the ceiling. I

d it m

aycheck, a man who couldn't even

t mat

use I wa

to feel this way-small

that likely cost more than my car. I found the fridge s

ed to find Julian leanin

ump. I did

eyes shadowed,

leep with h

dn't

o. You've already

fridge. "Do

oes t

oming from the man who sai

id I don't feel. I said I don't let an

him. "Why ar

couldn't sl

s a lot lik

oked

ought he mi

. He stiffened, turned towards the

e glass. "Who

oice called from the hall.

We need

again in a

nother ex?

Wor

trode in. Tall, tailored, ice-

her eyes

to me,"

was flat. "No

arried

orward. "Wh

ooked at me.

turned ba

de a very b