Chapter 179: jump scare

Amelia’s POV)

It had been days since the scare. I was still under Ethan’s orders to “rest,” which sounded nicer than “sit still and do nothing.” He kept fussing over me, bringing water, piling pillows under my back, making sure I didn’t move too quickly. Sweet at first. Smothering after three days.

By the fourth night, something shifted.

He still kissed me goodnight, but it was quick, distracted. He rolled onto his side with his back to me. No warmth. No reaching for my hand.

“Goodnight,” he muttered.

“Goodnight,” I whispered, staring at the ceiling.

But I didn’t sleep. I listened to his steady breathing, like he was already far away.

The next morning, I padded into the kitchen. He was buttoning his shirt, tie hanging loose. His coffee sat untouched.

“You’re quiet,” I said.

“Just tired.”

I walked closer. “Ethan, don’t do this.”

He looked up. “Do what?”

“Shut me out.”

“I’m not shutting you out.” He grabbed his tie, knotted it quickly.

“You haven’t touched me in days,” I said softly.

He