"What kind of emergency? Is someone hurt? Is it your grandmother? Zoe?—"
"Kim." His voice was sharp. Final. "I can't explain right now. We just need to go."
He moved past me and started throwing clothes into his bag with none of his usual care. I stood frozen, watching this stranger who'd replaced the man I'd spent the last two days falling deeper in love with.
Something was very, very wrong.
The flight back to New York was seven hours of silence.
Xavier sat across from me, staring out the window at clouds, his expression carved from stone. He didn't reach for my hand. Didn't make jokes or flirt or tease. Didn't acknowledge my existence at all.
I tried, at first. Asked if he wanted coffee. If he was hungry. If there was anything I could do.
He answered in monosyllables. Yes. No. I'm fine.
He wasn't fine. And he clearly didn't want to talk about it.
So I sat in my own seat and watched him from across the aisle and felt the familiar weight of dread settling in my stomach.
This was exactly what had happened with Cole.
I knew the pattern. Had it seared into my memory like a brand. Everything perfect, everything wonderful, and then the switch. The sudden distance. The coldness that came from nowhere. I'd been stupid enough to think I'd learned my lesson.I'd given Cole everything—my trust, my body, my heart—and he couldn't get away from me fast enough.
Now Xavier had gotten what he wanted, and he didn't want me anymore.
I pressed my nails into my palms until the sting drowned out the one behind my eyes. Stupid. I was so stupid. A naive idiot who'd let herself believe that this time would be different. That he would be different. That he would be different. That I could actually have something good without it being ripped away.
The plane landed. We disembarked. Xavier walked beside me but kept his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
He didn't kiss me. Didn't hold my hand. Didn't even look at me.
By the time we reached the car waiting on the tarmac, I'd built my walls back up. Brick by brick, stone by stone. Whatever was happening, I would survive it. I always did.
The drive to the Dubois estate passed in more silence. When we arrived, Xavier was out of the car before it fully stopped, striding toward the front door without a backward glance.
"Zoe's with Isabelle." He said it over his shoulder, already walking away. "I'll be in the study."
He paused at the door, just for a second. His hand on the frame, his back still to me. I thought he might turn around. Might say something. Might give me anything to hold onto.
He didn't.
Then he was gone, disappearing into the house like I was nothing. Like the last few days had never happened.
I stood on the gravel drive, watching the door close behind him, and felt something crack in my chest.
Isabelle found me before I could pull myself together.
"Kim!" She emerged from a side entrance, Evie trailing behind her. "You're back. We weren't expecting you for another hour."
"Change of plans." I forced my voice to stay steady. "Where's Zoe?"
"Inside, with mom. She's been an absolute angel—" Isabelle paused, studying my face. "Are you alright? You look pale."
"I'm fine. Just tired from the flight."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. "Come on. Zoe's been asking about you all morning."
The main sitting room was warm and bright, filled with fresh flowers and afternoon sun. Helena sat on one of the elegant sofas, and there was Zoe, curled up beside her with a picture book, her butterfly face paint now faded to pale smudges.
