Chapter 3

Curtis emerged from the bathroom with the soft sound of his footsteps padding across the carpet toward the other side of the bed. The mattress dipped as he slipped beneath the covers, a corner of the duvet lifting.

Leanne caught a whiff of a subtly cold fragrance, a crisp, penetrating scent that seemed to seep into her bones, the woody notes mixed with his body heat, with a hint of tobacco lingering in the background.-

It was Curtis’ signature scent.

The dim glow from the nightlight barely reached the bed, and the night was so still that their even breaths were the only sounds breaking the silence.

Each occupied half of the bed, setting a cold, invisible barrier between them.

After lying quietly for a while, Leanne gazed in Curtis’ direction. Maybe it was the darkness, but his features seemed more chiseled and distant.

“Aren’t you asleep yet?” she ventured.

Curtis’ weary, slightly irritable voice broke the silence of the dark, “Keep it down.”

Leanne touched the pendant around her neck and then turned her back to him.

When Leanne woke up the next day, Curtis was already up.

She got up, freshened up, and when she walked into the living room, she saw Curtis neatly dressed, sitting at the dining table, browsing the real-time stock quotes on his tablet.

He looked up briefly when he heard her. “Where’s Laura?”

Leanne opened the fridge. “I let her go.”

but didn’t comment

slices of ham, lettuce, and cheese to make two sandwiches she brought to

“Is this what you usually

fare. Rushing to work in the mornings, she often settled for just a few

“Take it

turned to see a timid

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Chapter 3

found a litter of strays huddled by the hospital during a downpour weeks ago. The newborn kittens were trembling, soaked to the bone, and the mother cat was a

bones.

until they were old enough

never allowed Leanne to keep cats. During his time away, she had rescued a stray and wanted to bring it home. When she asked for his opinion over the phone, he

a spare room,

furrowed. “Where did this stray come from?”

disdain which made Leanne uncomfortable. She

scoffed lightly. “Then you should apply for a

cat back in the room, Leanne returned to find Curtis donning his coat and the untouched sandwiches

mirror and sentenced the cat to exile without looking back. “Get

Leanne didn’t engage.

than capable of housing a few kittens. Why must Curtis b so ruthless

wealthy, yet his heart seemed

caught her expression in the mirror. “What are you silently accusing me of

retorted. “ll ensure they’re confined and won’t escape again. I’ll disinfect the house daily, and once I get someone to adopt them, they’ll be

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