I rise from the bed slowly, like sudden movement might break whatever spell is holding him upright. My eyes never leave his. His never leave mine.
He’s coiled tight, every inch of him wired and tense. Like he’s waiting for something. An execution. A verdict. Maybe a bullet to the heart.
It’s too early for this. Too early in the morning. Too early after everything.
My body wants to move forward. My heart wants to throw itself against him and scream into his chest that I missed him, that I hate him, that he shouldn’t confuse me this much.
But I stay frozen. Because the second I saw him, everything came back. All of it. Every kiss, every scar he left on my soul.
I see the man who held me like I was precious, and the monster who cut me into pieces.
I was afraid, so afraid of seeing him again. Afraid that I don’t hate him enough. Or worse, that I hate him too much.
And looking at him now, I don’t know what the fuck I’m feeling.
God, I’m such a mess.
My soul is shaking in its cage. Every second I look at him, it gets worse. The ache of his absence, the pull of what we used to be… they split me open.
I want to cry. I want to run. I want to jump into his arms and pretend we’re still us. To cling to him tightly and beg him to tell me that it was all just a nightmare. That he didn’t do what he did. That nothing bad ever happened between us.
But mostly, I just want to punch him. For still making me feel anything at all.
I steady myself. Clench my fists and face the monster that I fell in love with.Sudden rage scorches everything soft inside me. That’s better. Anger is safe. It keeps the longing at bay.
I could ignore him. Just like I did all these months. It made him run, after all. Maybe it would send him away now, too. Ria could take over. I’m sure even Temperance would jump into the battle. Even Griffin.
But I can’t be a coward forever. I can’t hide behind Ria and hope for the best. I can’t turn my eyes away and pretend anymore. Pretend that I didn’t love this man with my wholeheart and he destroyed me so carelessly. Pretend that I could forget him just because I don’t see him.
This is my battle, and this monster… he’s still mine to slay.
I take a breath. It shakes. My throat is sandpaper, raw and locked tight. Still, I force the words out.
Only one makes it past my lips, and it surprises even me.
“Divorce.”
The word rips out of me before I can stop it. It’s not how I meant to start this war, but fuck it. It’s out now, so I’m going to let it bleed.
Ghost doesn’t move at first. Just uncrosses his arms, slowly, like a predator stretching before the pounce. Then he takes a step forward. One dangerous, deliberate step.
“What?” He whispers.
My heart stutters in my chest.
The darkness in his eyes? It’s different now. Hungrier. Deeper. It looks like it’s crawling to the surface, looking for someone to devour. Me, clearly.
I hold my ground.
“Divorce,” I repeat, voice stronger now. “I said divorce. I have the papers. You’ll sign them. Today.”
His mouth curves up, just a little. But it’s not a smile. I don’t know what the hell it is. He tilts his head, eyes never leaving mine, and for a second — asinglesecond — I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, and he’s deciding whether to push me or pull me toward him.
It’s unnerving. It’s clear he’s weighing my resolve. Well, fuck that! He can weigh all he wants. We’re dead, and we’re not coming back to life.
“Will I?” he murmurs, his voice like silk stretched over a razor.
That’s a fucking dare, not a question.
