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,"
"Jennifer Caldwell just arrived. She's important. Her husband sits on three boards. Don't embarrass me again." The words came out wrong. Harsher than I meant. She went very still. Then she pulled her arm free and walked away without looking back. I stood there, alone in the hallway, tie too tigh
Always Edward. I excused myself to the powder room twice, to breathe. To stand in front of the mirror and remind myself I was still here. Still whole. The second time I emerged, Lucy was waiting in the hallway. "There you are," she said brightly. "I was hoping we'd get another chance to chat." M
Alicia's POV Lily's room had transformed since that first terrifying night. Sunlight streamed through windows no longer blocked by emergency equipment. Cards covered every surface, bright splashes of color against sterile white walls. Someone had brought a small stuffed bear that sat on the window
I stepped closer, closing what little space remained. My lips found hers. The kiss was hard, claiming. Her fingers found my shirt, gripping it. I pulled her closer, my hand sliding into her hair. She gasped, breath short and fierce. I broke away just enough to look at her. Her eyes burned. Her che







