The one hour turned into three.
Liora crept back to her room at 4 AM, Dashiell's scent still on her skin, her body aching in the most delicious ways. She showered quickly, then slipped back into bed beside Leander.
Who was wide awake.
"Where were you?" His voice was quiet. Hurt.
Liora's heart stopped. "I couldn't sleep. Went for tea."
"For three hours?"
"I... I sat in the garden. Lost track of time. Pregnancy insomnia is—"
"Don't." Leander sat up, turning on the bedside lamp. "Don't lie to me."
In the light, Liora could see his face. He'd been crying.
"Leander—"
"I know something's going on. I'm not stupid, Liora. You disappear for hours. You're jumpy. You smell different when you come back to bed." His voice cracked. "Are you... are you having an affair?"
The question hung in t
