LOGINThe engines went quiet at six. The hull met the pier. The crew moved above us. River light came through the porthole, grey and silver, crossing the ceiling in slow panels. She was on her side facing me. Her hair across the pillow. Her mouth softly parted in the way that belonged only to sleep. I
Edward’s POV The hull rose and settled with the slow pull of the river. I lay in the dark with my jacket on the floor and my shoes beside it and listened to the boat. The timber. The joins. The engine below running its low faithful count. The porthole showed clouds. The moon behind it traced the
"I fell off a bicycle when I was seven," I said. "Broke my arm. The left one." "You're afraid of the dark," he said. "You sleep with the curtain open so the street light comes in. You never told me directly but I worked it out in the third month." I set down my wine. "You remember that." "I remem
Alicia's POV The dress arrived at four. I found the box on Elena's table. Black paper, no ribbon, his handwriting stark on the card: The water. Inside, folded in tissue, was the black silk from the wardrobe at the estate. The one I had left hanging there. I showered. I pinned my hair up. At seve
Edward's POV The grey light filled the room. Alicia's leg lay across mine, heavy with sleep. Her hair spread on my shoulder, across the pillow. Her palm rested on my chest, rising and falling with my breath. The arm beneath her had gone numb hours ago. I flexed my fingers until the pins and needl
Alicia's POV He was on the floor. I looked at him until the silence found its shape. He looked back. The full version of him. Just Edward on the floor, his eyes on mine, waiting without arranging what he was waiting for. "We never chose each other," he said. "Let me choose you." "Then start,"
Alicia’s POV I stepped inside. The room smelled of leather, old books, and the faint trace of his cologne. The desk lamp cast shadows across his face. I didn’t sit. Just stood there with my arms wrapped around myself. “About last night,” I started. My voice was smaller than I wanted. “About that
My throat tightened. “I know.” “And whatever’s going on, you can tell me. I’m not going to break.” Yes, you will. You’ll break if I tell you I’m pregnant with a man who doesn’t want me. That I’m trapped in a marriage that was supposed to be temporary but became permanent the moment I fell in love
“Yes.” Her voice came out steady. I glanced at the mug. “You should eat something.” “I did.” She was lying. The kitchen was too clean. No crumbs, no dishes in the sink except the single mug. But I didn’t push it. “We should leave in five minutes.” She nodded. Poured the tea down the drain. Ri
Ice crawled into my veins. “Edward—” “Surgery. ICU. Medications. Physical therapy. Monitoring equipment.” He ticked them off, each word precise. “It all adds up quickly. Tens of thousands so far. More to come.” The numbers felt like a countdown. “Stop,” I whispered. “I’m just reminding you of the







