Amara’s body trembled faintly at the realization. She lowered her head, pressing her lips together as her fingers curled tightly into her palms. She stood there staring blankly at the untouched nightwear hanging inside the closet.
Her chest hurt.
But before the little courage left inside her disappeared completely, she forced herself to move.
Her shaky gaze searched through the closet until it landed on a delicate red lingerie hanging near the back. Her fingers hesitated before slowly reaching for it. The silky material slipped through her trembling hands as she pulled it down.
The fabric was delicate and thin, the neckline low and revealing.
Then, clutching it tightly against her chest, she hurried toward the bathroom.
The warm light inside the bathroom illuminated her pale face in the mirror as she stood there silently for a few seconds, staring at her exhausted reflection.
Her eyes were swollen.
Her makeup slightly smudged.
Her face pale.
She looked like someone trying desperately not to fall apart.
She turned on the shower and began washing away her makeup with trembling hands. Cold water ran down her fingers as she wiped her face again and again, trying to calm the storm inside her chest.
A few minutes later, she changed into the lingerie.
The thin fabric barely reached her thighs. The deep neckline exposed far more skin than she had ever dared to reveal before.
Her hands instinctively moved to cover herself.
Her heart was beating painfully fast.
She felt embarrassed. Nervous. Vulnerable.
Everything mixed together so violently inside her chest that it became hard to breathe.
The bathroom light remained on while the bedroom outside stayed dim and quiet.
Then suddenly—
Footsteps.
Amara froze instantly.
She recognized those footsteps immediately.
Elias.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides as she slowly closed her eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.
Outside, she heard the faint sound of keys being tossed onto the table before his deep voice broke the silence.
“You came home with Juliet? I thought you were coming home with me. Couldn’t you at least inform me?”
Amara swallowed hard before finally stepping out of the bathroom.
Elias stood near the bed, loosening his tie absentmindedly.
Then suddenly, soft arms wrapped around his waist from behind.
