By the time Alexander got to the chamber, the soft sound of movement reached his ears—clothes shifting, drawers closing in the closet. He guessed Faye was probably getting dressed.
He was right. A few seconds later, she stepped out of the closet, fully dressed, her hair loosely tied back, and greeted him casually.
“Hi,” she said, her tone even, polite—but too neutral.
Alexander smiled faintly and closed the distance between them, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. “Hi.”
For a moment, he expected her to linger like she usually did...leaning into him, teasing him for sneaking up on her, or at least offering that small, warm smile that always softened her face. But this time, she didn’t. She slipped out of his arms in that quiet, detached way that didn’t seem intentional but still stung
