Page 53 of Siccitas

Chapter Thirty-Four

He’s still holdingme when I wake up.

I know better than to move from his grasp. It will tighten. There will be consequences.

I breathe deeply, trying to recall my dream.

It was Darby again.

It’s as though her spirit is edging me on, yelling at me to save her child.

I don’t need to destroy Luke Greene... I just need to escape with Skylar.

Luke turns onto his back and stretches.

“I know you’re already awake,” he grumbles.

“I didn’t want to disturb you,” I say meekly.

“Go make coffee,” he sighs. “You remember how I like it?”

“Yes, Daddy, I remember everything you like.”

He chuckles. “Good girl.”

He truly believes he’s broken me back into this cycle. I cannot believe it. He almost did. He almost had me. But the thought of Darby’s bones at the bottom of that fucking well pushes me forward.

I get up and I grab my cane, then I limp into the kitchen and turn the coffee machine on.

I take out the sugar and the creamer and I get his mug.

I carefully prepare his coffee and slowly carry it to the dining room.

I set it on the table and go back to the kitchen to make breakfast. I take out everything I would need to make a fresh batch of pancakes.

I would ground glass in his food if I knew the kids wouldn’t eat it as well.

Once the pancakes are done, I call Richter to carry them before I go to the dining room behind him.

We eat peacefully. Skylar seems to really enjoy the pancakes, and that makes me smile.

I look to my left and see Luke watching me. My smile fades and I lower my gaze.

“Can I go outside with the children today?” I ask quietly. “If you don’t mind, Daddy?”

“If you stick to the backyard,” he says. “Why don’t you and Skylar have a tea party? I know how much you enjoy them.”

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