Chapter 3

I woke from a nightmare, one I often have since taking that stab for Declan.

In it, I run up endless stairs, never reaching the top.

Beside me, Declan slept peacefully, gently snoring.

At that moment, his phone screen lit up with a notification:

"Laughing at my own 5 AM search history."

I clicked it, revealing Declan's search:

"What perfume can a pregnant woman use?"

I froze, dropping the phone onto the bed, the pale screen reflecting my gloomy face.

I dreaded the word "pregnant" because I could never be.

Phoebe’s perfume lingered in my nose, making me gag.

Declan sleepily pulled me into his arms. "Nora, why aren’t you asleep? We have to get up early tomorrow."

Resting in his embrace, I murmured, "Declan, will you betray me?"

My voice was a faint whisper.

Declan seemed not to hear. He soothingly patted my back, "Nora, another nightmare? I’ll go with you to see a therapist tomorrow, okay?"

I didn’t want therapy; I wasn’t sick. I just feared Declan leaving me.

I didn’t want to return to being alone. I’d been in a warm bubble too long and feared the cold outside.

Pressing against his warm chest, I stopped thinking and drifted into sleep with his voice.