. I knew what that meant. She was punishing me for walking out, showing me that she had other, more ente

e of furniture was chosen by her, every painting on the wall approved by her. The

windows, watching the rain begin to fall, feeling as empty as the apartment around me. I had hop

tment was a f

front door click open. I turned, my

She dropped her keys on the marble entryway tabl

she said, he

eded

rain on her coat and something else... Kason's colo

ngly gentle. It was a rare, calculated gesture, part of the cycle of

ed, her eyes searching min

my lips before I could stop them. It was the one

Of course, I do, Benne

ent, I almost believed her. I leaned in, my ow

lips almost touch hers, and t

miliar coldness in her vo

bit of warmth in me extinguished. Her hands were on my shou

of her neck, was a dar

was a brand. A message.

It was over. It had been over for yea

est room that night, the first time I had ever done so. The bed was co

rang. I was in the kitchen, mak

here with a suitcase in each ha

o hear. "I hope you don't mind. I decided to

send him away. To show some flicke

"Of course. Make

en glance in

get out. But the words caught in my throat.

daring me to react. "Aren't you g

her eyes. She wanted a fight. She wanted me to

d to give her

e soon," I said, my

altered. "Wha

ning to walk out of the ro

look of genuine shock on he