Chapter 2

2.

When Yara came back to the room, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring into space.

She brought a glass of water and two small white pills, wearing her usual gentle smile.

"What are you thinking about? It's late. Take your meds and let's sleep."

I usually have a hard time falling asleep and suffer from nightmares.

I've needed sleeping pills every night for a long time.

As she turned to put the glass down, I spat the pills into my palm. I wiped them onto the sheet without her noticing.

I didn't want to sleep. I was terrified of seeing those images again in my dreams.

She climbed into bed and curled up in my arms like a loyal cat.

My body was stiff. Her warmth against me felt like ice.

The intimacy I used to crave now made my skin crawl.

"Quinn, what's wrong today? You seem off."

Yara looked up at me, her eyes full of feigned confusion.

I forced a smile. "Nothing. Just exhausted from work."

"Yeah, you've been working hard. Leave the wedding details to me. Just rest."

She stroked my cheek, her eyes sparkling with concern.

I looked at her and felt like I was looking at a stranger.

How many faces did this woman have?

I closed my eyes and pretended to drift off.

An hour later, she moved quietly. She slipped out of bed and went to the living room.

Soon, I heard muffled moans.

The sounds were like sharp needles piercing my eardrums.

I lay there, frozen. Did she do this every night while I was drugged?

Through the crack in the door, I saw her wrapped around a man in the living room.

The man gasped, "You didn't let him touch you, right?"

I stared at the man's profile. I couldn't believe it.

It was Hank Belrose, my best friend since childhood.

"Only you get to touch me. Harder. I love you so much."

Yara arched her body against him.

Hank gripped her waist, his eyes glazed with lust.

"I heard your big sister is getting engaged the day after tomorrow. Let's find her dressing room and do it there."

Yara hesitated for a second. "I don't know. Quinn has been acting weird lately. I'm afraid he'll catch us."

Hank stopped moving, his tone turning sour.

"What's that supposed to mean? Is he more important than me? That idiot hasn't noticed a thing in a year. What are you scared of?"

Yara couldn't resist the craving. She eventually whispered her agreement.

I leaned against the doorframe, feeling weak. The shocks kept coming, making it hard to breathe.

Yara and I had only been together for eighteen months. Had they been doing this the whole time?