Page 151 of Carnal Games

I nod as she looks at me with a protective sheen in her eyes.

“Are you happy with the decision? Do you feel ready to be a wife?” she softly asks. “You love Nathan, right?”

I hesitate, contemplating whether this is the chance to end it all.

I quickly brush off the idea.

There’s nothing I can do without talking to Nathan first.

“I am ready, Ma.”

Caressing my cheek, she whispers, “Good.”

***

Later that night, I knock on Kian’s door.

I haven’t seen him since this morning. He couldn’t get away fast enough after breakfast. I wanted to chase after him, feeling all my progress with him go down the drain. It terrified me.

I returned to his apartment an hour ago after calling a cab for my mom. Kian was nowhere to be seen, so I assumed he must be in his office upstairs. I waited for him to show up for dinner. He never came downstairs.

The door swings open, revealing Kian in a dark green T-shirt and sweats. “Did you need anything?”

The callous tone takes me aback. His features are set in a flat expression, missing the warmth and mischievousness from the morning. Still, I put on a hopeful smile and ask, “You up for our movie night?”

“I have urgent emails that need my attention.”

“Oh.” A burning sensation forms in my eyelids. “Okay.”

“Good night.” He closes the door before I can respond.

My heart shatters.

Somehow, I manage to go back to my room. Switching off the lights, I lay down in the bed and finally let the sobs out into the pillow.

***

Kian glances up from the coffee maker and goes ramrod still at seeing me. “Where are you going?”

“I’m coming back to work,” I announce. “Starting today.”

“No, you’re not.”

“It’s not up to you.”

“I’m your boss,” he boasts. “It’s very much up to me. I say no.”

I was upset when I went to sleep yesterday. When I woke up with puffy eyes today, I was furious. He can shove his hot-and-cold attitude up his ass, for all I care.

“I am not sick anymore, Kian,” I retort, standing my ground. “I’m done staying locked up like a damsel in distress in your ivory tower.”

The glare he aims my way can bury someone alive. “It’s for your own protection.”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done, but it’s time for me to get back into the world. Who knows when you’ll catch the guy? Maybe it was an unfortunate incident,” I reason deceitfully.

Kian is on a goose chase, and he doesn’t even know. It’s time for me to start cleaning up the messes in my life. I’m going to tackle them one at a time.

We stay locked in a stare-down.