Page 89 of Isolation

It all happens so fast.

It’s probably the lack of sleep.

It’s definitely the lack of sleep.

One moment we are joking around. The next moment, startled by his sudden move, I dig the sharp end of the knife into my thigh.

Milo’s quick reflexes kick in. He immediately grabs my hand before the knife can do any damage. In another swift move, he pries the knife out of my hand and scoops me into his lap.

His hands frantically inspect my thigh area around my shorts. When he doesn’t notice any damage, he holds on to me tightly, occasionally kissing my shoulder.

Shock.

That’s all both of us are left with. Neither of us says a single word. Milo is holding on to me as if he is scared that I’ll disappear into thin air.

“Milo, I...” I trail off before I can even explain.

It doesn’t make any sense. Milo might have been my worst nightmare once upon a time, but things have changed. There has been sexual acts that I willingly participated over the last few days. I even initiated it.

He has grabbed me suddenly before. This has never happened.

“It’s okay,” he immediately assures, almost as if he is saying it to himself.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t scare me, baby,” he reaches over and kisses my cheek.

“I think I did,” I say quietly.

“You didn’t.” He places small kisses all over my face. “I can’t lose you again,” he mutters so inaudibly that I almost miss it.

Milo discards the knife in the trash as if it will come back to cut me open on it’s own. It seems a bit dramatic until I catch the look on his face.

His usual blank expression falls for a fleeting moment, allowing me to see his real feelings. It’s the same emotion and truth that’s becoming abundantly clear as the days go by.

I have seen that look before. I hate that look.

He is looking at me like I am a glass doll that will break at any moment. As if I am some sort of traumatized victim that needs to be taken care of.As if I am fucking Tessa,a woman Milo resents. A woman that he all but legally emancipated himself from at the age of eight.

A woman he doesnotrespect!

The sympathy I felt is quickly replaced by the anger that’s boiling my blood right now.

Thatlook onhisface is worse than what I just did. He doesn’t get to admit thatheis the root of my fears, then act like he is scared ofme.As ifI am acting likeher.

It inspires a feeling I haven’t felt towards him in weeks; anger and resentment.

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Milo

“Don’t you have work?” Raven asks. I detect a hint of irritation laced with her tone.

After what just transpired with the knife, I am not leaving Raven alone for a single fucking second.

I am scared shitless right now. Raven could have seriously hurt herself if I wasn’t quick to respond.

Next time I might not be quick enough.