Julian’s palm was scalding, the indentations of his fingertips branded onto his skin. The searing pain that lashed across Vanessa’s face was scorching, striking her ears so hard they seemed to lose all hearing, ringing loudly as her head reeled and a wave of nausea washed over her.
“Do you enjoy being so utterly provocative?” Julian had hit her, and regret instantly swelled within him, but a second thought dismissed it – *she brought this upon herself*, he couldn’t be blamed. He reached out to touch her, but was violently shoved away.
Vanessa’s heart was trembling violently. She couldn’t stand to be there another second. Scrambling past Julian, she bolted out the door.
A single light burned in the villa. In the dim atmosphere, Adrian’s face was cast in shadows, his expression complex an
