Chapter 109
GILLIAN
I had called my assistant and cleared my agenda for the following morning too: I wasn’t go to work until bare at least, Work could wait. The company could do without me for a day. But this–coulhn’t wait.
My thoughts were filled with her. And to think that I had spent most of my life irked withther. The fiery, quick–witted woman who never hesitated. to fight back, who took every chance to get under my skin and make my life miser. The woman when irritated mir ser easily.
But today, none of at counted. Because today, I had witnessed something about her that I had never seen before. She was broken. I never liked her, never enjoyed that infuriating mouth of hers that could burn anyone to the ground. But yet, today, I had felt powerless to watch her lump like a kicked puppy, withdrawing from the world. And I resented that look on hier,
I never had a pet, never understood the point of it. Hair all over the place, added responsibility, attachment I didn’t need. But I could see how hurtful it must have been for her, having to give up the one thing she had loved so much–to that ill fucker’s warped fixation
The rage within me grew stronger again, this time hotter and heavier. It was lodged in the pit of my stomach, a glowing pool of molten lead–Seeing that bastard’s face made me grit my teeth and ball up my lists.
He had trespassed in her space, shredded the security she felt in her own home. He had instilled fear within her. And worse, he had stolen from her
something pure, something precious to her.
I wanted to murder
I also wanted to burst in and see how she was. It was midnight. She would probably be asleep. Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, attempting to get the anger that was churning within me under control. I needed a cigarette.
I left
my room, making my way towards the terrace when something caught my attention.
She was on the couch, half–curled in her body, as if she had just fallen there rather than walking to the bed. A frown pulled at my mouth. Why wasn’t she in her room? She had seemed so tired before. She should have been sleeping properly, getting some of her strength back.
As I came closer. I saw how her body jerked, her hands clenched into fists over the couch upholstery. She muttered something in sleep, sweat standing on her brow.
Nightmar
I felt it hit the at the instant she jerked, her body stiffening totally before she struggled, gasped, her eyes flying open to choke out a scream.
I was by her side in a flash “Hey, hey, look at me, I whispered, holding her armis tightly ball gently.
“You’re fine. Your sale
Shar gasped in a shuddering breath her chest rising and falling as her unfocused eyes swept the room. Her hands shook as she grabbed at the material of my shirt, clinging to it as if it was the only thing holding her together.
“Breathe. Erica” 1 instructed her, speaking softly. “Deep breaths
She complied, drawing in gasping inhales and exhaling just as unsteadily 1 picked up the glass of water in the table and thrust it unto her hands.
strained myself from swiping it away. She gulped, clutching the glass
She paused for a moment before drinking. It dripped from her chat, and I restrai m both hands as if it was the sole thing bohling her upright
Why are you sleeping here? I questmord, iny tone gentler
anallowed. He was there”
“I couldn’t sleep so I came out her and I dont know when i dozed off she paused her Adam’s apple jumping as કીમાં કલ
Aberce joåt of adrenaline coursed through inc. “You saw him?”
She shook her head. “No. He was laceless. But he was there. Her voice trendded. “He had Nero. He he laughed in my face while be slit-
Her youre broke, and she couldisi get the word out. She breathed in sharply and ground her jaw as it that would hold back tears
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8:22PM & d
Chapter 100
A cure escaped my lips before I could catch it.
I
moved to take her, running a slow, hard hand down her back. “It wasn’t real. He’s not here. I promise you. Erica, I won’t let him touch you”
She nodded once, but I could tell she wasn’t believing anr.
I took a breath and stood. “Come with me
She blanked up at me, confusion crossing her weary eyes. “Where?”
“Just come.”
She stopped, then pressed off the couch. I walked her through the penthouse, out onto the balcony.
It was cool out, the city air crisp as it touched my skin, Lights twinkled like fallen stars beyond the city to our front.
Erica hesitated, and took a single step forward, her arms circled around her as she looked out at the skyline.
1 pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a practiced flick of my lighter. The flame flared for a second before disappearing. I took a slow drag. exhaling the smoke into the air.
Then I held it out to her
She glanced at me. her brows pulling together in surprise. I don’t-
She hesitated before finally reaching for it. Bringing it to her lips, she inhaled, the glow of the ember illuminating her face for a second before she exhaled, a thin stream of smoke curling into the night air.
I studied her for a long moment. The way her fingers shook slightly as she held the cigarette. The way her posture, though tense, seemed to ease Just the uniest bit.
She took another slow inhale, this time exhaling more steadily. “I get why people smoke now.”
She nodded. “It quicts things:
I lutied out a small, humurless laugh. “That’s why I do it”
Silence settled between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. For a long while, neither of us spoke. We simply stood there, letting the night surround us, leiting the quet wrap around us like a protective rocuori.
I watched her for a long while. The shudder of her fingers as they grasped the cigarette. The tension in her posture, relieved just the very slightest.
She took another dragging breath, and this time, she exhaled more evenly. I see why people smoke now”
She nodded. “Di quieti slungs
I made a short, humordras chuckle “That’s why I do it”
bilener fell between uibui jiwainst awkward. Neither of us said a word for a very long time. We just stood there, allowing the night to engpill us, allowing the silence to envelop is like a security blanker
