Chapter 16

Three women who I don't recognize enter the room and walk to a door on the left side of the wall. My master clears his throat, and without even sparing me a glance, he gets up from his seat on the sofa. His long legs carry him through the door in no time at all, and it closes behind him as if he hadn't just been right beside me, hadn't just made my whole world tremble, only moments ago.

My eyes follow him as he vanishes before me, every ounce of warmth I had felt has now fled my body. The only thing I'm left with is the chill of separation. What is this? Why do I have such a feeling of loneliness now? An hour ago, I wanted to be left alone and now, I feel like a small child in need of a reassuring embrace. It doesn't make sense to me how someone so cold, a man I resent so much, can make me feel such yearning, upon their departure. I should be glad that he's gone.

Still, the sight of his back to me, as he left me there, all alone, saddens me. I wrap my arms around my chest and hol