Lila woke before sunrise, the room was still dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of Mr. James’s phone on the nightstand. She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, the message appeared again: *Can't wait to f*ck you tomorrow baby*
From: My Second Heart.
The words sat in her chest like a stone.
Mr. James slept deeply beside her, breathing peacefully.
His arm was still around her waist, holding her close like nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
She slipped out from under his arm carefully. He stirred but didn’t wake. Lila stood beside the bed for a moment, watching him. He looked peaceful.
Like a man who loved her.
She turned away and walked to the window. Outside, the garden was quiet. The pool still held the memory of the other night water la
