Irene hadn't slept a wink all night. After they left Valeria's house, Fenrik had dropped her off at home. The house was silent. Feeling as though she couldn't breathe, she slowly slipped out of bed, walked over to the window, and began staring into the darkness. Her white nightgown was the only visible thing in the gloom. She wanted to go outside and run barefoot until dawn. That way, the only thing troubling her would be the physical pain under her feet, and she wouldn't have to think about anything else. Perhaps then, the thought tormenting her mind like crazy—Did he lie to me again?—would finally leave her alone.
She didn't feel strong enough to handle another lie. The world was already against her, simply because she was a woman. Life was hard enough, she already had enough battles to
