I wake up to light breathing against the back of my neck. Squinting, I take a look at the clock. The haziness disappears instantly when I look at the time. It’s almost 9:30 am. I turn my head slightly and notice Matthew deep in sleep. I try to pry his hands off my waist but stop short when he tightens his hold.
I despise myself for liking the warmth of his arms. And I happen to ask myself the same questions again. If only he wasn’t a monster from the inside? If only he loved me like a normal person? Things would’ve been so different.
I stare at the closed curtains for another half an hour before Matthew finally stirs awake. He takes his hands off and rubs the sleep from his eyes. I sit up on the bed and fix my robe.
“I think I’ll stay in today.” My hands stop at the knot when he spea
