The rain lashed against the towering glass windows of Julian’s penthouse, streaks of water distorting the city lights beyond. Inside, the air between them was thick—dense with everything left unsaid. Emily sat curled at the far end of the sofa, staring into the flames flickering in the fireplace, though she hardly felt the warmth.
Julian stood across the room, arms folded, his frustration barely contained. The silence between them stretched too long, too unbearable.
"Emily," he said finally, his voice edged with restraint.
She didn’t look at him.
He exhaled sharply. "You can't keep doing this."
Her fingers tightened around the blanket draped over her lap. "Doing what?"
"Pretending you're fine. Avoiding me. You barely sleep, you barely eat, and every time I come near you, you flinch l
