Mark’s POV
The sunlight was too damn bright. It streamed through the windows like it belonged here—like it had the right to touch everything in this twisted place. I wanted to rip the curtains down.
I sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees, trying to push away the heavy weight in my chest. My body was stiff, sore, and every time I closed my eyes, flashes of last night slammed into me like a punch to the gut.
Alice.
I gritted my teeth, dragging a hand through my hair. I shouldn’t have touched her. Shouldn’t have let her get to me. But she knew exactly how to push my buttons—how to chip away at the part of me that still cared.
And worse? I didn’t hate every second of it.
I hated myself for that.
A soft hum broke the silence. I didn’t need to turn around to know she was awake.
