Adrian came home past nine that evening.The sound of the front door echoed from the foyer. I sat on the living room couch, lights off, not moving.He paused visibly when he walked in, then quickly softened his voice, calling out to me with his usual warmth: "Emily, why are you sitting in the dark?"A second later, the lights blazed on.I squinted against the sudden brightness and saw Adrian standing in the doorway — suit jacket draped over his arm, shirt collar loosened, still looking every bit the picture of effortless elegance.It was that face that had made me lose my composure at an auction gala all those years ago. That face that made me marry him even after I knew he wasn't human.But now, all I felt was disgust.Because when he moved closer, beneath his usual scent of cold cedar, there was a faint trace of rose.I never went near fresh flowers because of my allergies.He seemed completely oblivious. He walked over, crouched in front of me, and placed his palm naturally on my be
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