Scarlett
I stayed there for a few long seconds, lying on top of Viktor with his arms wrapped tightly around me. His body was warm from the fever, his heartbeat steady and strong against my chest. It felt… safe. Too safe. Too good.
Then he slowly loosened his hold.
I lifted my head and met his eyes. We stared at each other in silence, the air between us thick with everything we weren’t saying. His gaze was softer without his glasses, more open, and it made my stomach flutter in a way I didn’t want to examine too closely.
“I… I should finally leave,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He didn’t stop me. I pushed myself up carefully, smoothing down my clothes, suddenly feeling awkward and exposed. Viktor sat upright on the bed, watching me quietly as I moved toward the door.
I steppe
