Rebecca
“What the hell, Rebecca!” Cole’s voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and stunned. His hand rose instinctively to touch his lips, as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened. His cool, controlled demeanor cracked, revealing the faintest furrow of his brows and the crease of a frown line etched deep into his forehead. I had startled him.
“Go away,” I said, stepping back from the bed. My chest felt tight, and I needed air—space—from him. He was trying, I knew that, but all of it was a lie. A realization, bitter and undeniable, clawed its way to the surface. None of this was real. He didn’t have to say it outright; his actions and words had screamed it all along.
“Not until you talk,” he said, his voice low, but laced with authority. He moved around the bed deliberat
