I wake up when the door creaks open. My neck screams in pain the moment I jerk upright, stiff from having slept hunched on the floor.
It’s Guilia. She looks drained, her hair messy as her eyes ringed red like she hasn’t blinked in hours.
I glance at the clock on the wall. It read 10 p.m
“He’s asleep,” she says quietly. “I made the housekeeper put a sedative in his water. He’ll be out for a while.”
I swallow, guilt rising like bile.
“I’m sorry, G. You warned me. I didn’t listen. I thought… I thought things would be different with us, but I was just stupid.” My voice is hoarse, and she doesn’t answer. I’m glad because I knew if she speaks, I’ll break.
“But you don’t have to keep doing this.” I force myself up. “I’ll leave.”
“No.” She steps inside fully. “We need to talk, Ray… about Ha
