forever. The words haunted

lk robe lay abandoned on the floor. Her sk

ide her, something louder throb

. It was for the version of hi

ge. His lips once claimed her with reverence; now they brushed her skin out of d

cked mirror across the room. A pale, tired reflecti

s quieter. Harder. A little colder. Her body sti

cut through her like glass.

oxicating. They h

egan-a storm-soaked evening u

ser, breath warm, voice low. "Sorry," he'd murmured, but hunger hid behind the ap

through lecture halls. Kisses that tasted of sin and forever. Nights fil

had learned the language of her skin, the rhythm of her silences, and the places

with devotion now drifted through their life like a stranger. His attention belo

visible but sharp, like glass waiting to break. Every "I'm busy" and eve

ection. But he twisted her wanting into weakness. "You're too emotional

she wanted to cry. To pretend indifferen

ess settled in her veins like winter, steady and merciless. Chris never shoute

nger answered back. His breathing soothed her, but it wasn't com

who laughed without restraint. Who dreamed w

ece by piece, she'd given up everyone who remi

hed her fingers over his sleeping face and wondered, is

er body of fire, but

buzzed again, sharp against

ge. Tonight.

ead the words again and again. The air in the

r, desire, and dangerous curiosity. Som

ce whispered. Not Chris's.

at night, only that it wasn't an invit

ing. And Chris-he wouldn't

mbled, then steadied, louder than before. In that

uld change

other message. Be ready. H

romise. She didn't know if she wa

k permission to burn. And h