This hunger felt even more bitey than usual.
Bella opened her eyes to find the whisper of Julian’s presence still against her—his words, the heat of him standing close, the control that had cost them both more than either would acknowledge. For a fragile moment she paused still, hoping the memory would blur.
It didn’t.
It honed, instead, like something incomplete with work left to do.
She dressed so quickly, the armor of her neutral clothes enveloping her in seconds, and entered the kitchen just as he texted her.
A text from Chloe.
Chloe: You need to see this. Now.
Bella’s stomach tightened.
Bella: See what?
Chloe: Just… don’t read it alone.
Bella opened the link.
It was a gossip column. Not a major outlet but one that had reach. The headline wasn’t explosive. It didn’t need to
