Once everything had been put back in place, Xavier finally noticed how few of Bella's things were left in the room. The decor she had picked out for the first floor was gone, and a glass snake enclosure had replaced the little side table she loved next to the coffee table.
In a dim corner of the living room, several glass enclosures had been set up. A few snakes moved restlessly inside, their bodies sliding against the glass with faint, rasping hisses.
Xavier had always liked those snakes, but now, standing there, he felt a strange irritation rise in his chest for no clear reason. Even knowing they were hungry, he had no desire to feed them.
He pulled out his phone and checked it. The screen was dark and empty. There was not a single message from Bella.
The last message in their w*****
