Chapter 4 - The First Fracture
The air conditioning hummed through the silver vents near the ceiling.
Julian stopped three feet away from her huddled form.
He looked down at the white towel with the red mark.
He did not point at it.
"What happened to you?"
His voice was dangerously quiet.
It did not echo. It sank straight into the heavy stone walls.
Elara’s breath hitched in her throat.
She opened her eyes, staring only at the impeccable crease of his black trousers.
"Nothing, sir."
Her voice was a fragile, broken whisper.
"I'm fine."
She tried to shift her weight to stand, but the red swelling on her leg brushed against the floor.
A sharp, breathless gasp tore through her lips.
May you like
Her elbow gave out, and she slumped back down against the dark wood of the vanity.
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