ouldn't

still echoed, s

ad

on, it was a blade slic

an didn't move. Didn't flinch. Just stood there watching Nathan like th

nd raw, like he couldn't make the pieces

version of this w

pened h

tha

w l

d with a br

than, I swea

. Lo

like thunder. He step

t confusio

it was heartbreak's

ly spoke, ca

d lower yo

n bli

d-just once, bi

said. "You're just gonna stand th

s voic

think. I didn't pla

't even sound righ

ed on her l

irting with him. What,

him," she snapped. "I h

too fast. Too

like spit

before the first tear even formed

her voice sounde

ean for thi

ned, quiet

r like she was a st

like someone pushed her of

-

moved fast like it could outrun

,wasn't sure she

ing holding her together was t

athan could build something small-just a sof

a man undress h

and an unknown

still

the screen and

rom shame, but from ho

-

hen counter in leggings and a hoodie, eat

her bag. Sank

wai

ed him, d

dn't say

linked

ou didn't

her face, cou

ouche

fucki

ke she was preparing for

th a blowtorch in

ean for it

. But fires don't wai

p, her voice t

new m

pau

ha

mbered her. Like he's been rem

sta

kind of generational thir

out a ho

wasn'

ngerous. He is your ex's father. Do

not

not the

ood up t

just-he just shows up and makes me feel lik

rrowed

you li

didn't

he answer

e fucki

-

rang at

ize the number. S

dn't

d slow like black ve

idn't

ight," Dorian said, "would

h left in

es but her prid

doing this?"

e on t

h

ad a taste," he said. "

hung

s didn't sto

-

ng together. Orders blurred. Plates slipped. Her apron string

floating. Pale silk. Pearls. Perfection. Sh

st dropped

ed. Crooked

lack. You remember how

Moved. Returne

took a sip. Then placed the

said calmly, "getting close to

a fr

idn't lo

didn't

elong to families that chew

ked up, slow

lik

bout to make the same m

blood we