Simon sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, the only sound the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. He rested his elbows on his knees, his hands tangled in his hair as he stared down at the floor, fury simmering just below the surface. Refusing to see Olivia tonight had felt like the right decision at the time—a way to reclaim some control over a situation spiraling out of his grasp.
But now, as the hours dragged on, regret was creeping in, mixing with frustration and a gnawing sense of unease. He had tried to push the thought of her away, to bury it under rationalizations. She’s reckless. She’s trouble. She’s dangerous for you. Yet, none of it stuck. His mind kept circling back to her—her voice, her laugh, the way she could infuriate him and tempt him all at once.
Simon sank de
