Page 136 of The Obedient Lie
When neither of them moved to explain, I turned — pulsehammering— and grabbed my things, heading straight for the shower. I neededspace. I neededwater. I neededsomethingto snap me out of the mess that was building in my chest.
As I slammed the bathroom door shut, I caught one last glimpse of them.
Still silent.
Still watching.
And worse —amused.
Like they already knew something I didn’t.
I had the longest shower in history.
Took my time with everything — washed my hair twice, shaved like I was going somewhere important, and dragged out my skincare routine like it mightsaveme.
They were both in bed.
Bastion and Luca.
Reclined like theybelongedthere. Like they werewaitingfor me — looking comfortable, shirtless, and sinfully smug.
Iignoredit.
Walked across the room and put my things away slowly, like that might make them disappear. Then I turned, stepping down toward the lounge without saying a word.
“Emilia,” Luca said, voice velvet-soft, “don’t make us get rid of the couch too.”
“We like it,” Bastion added with a shrug from the bed. “But not enough to let you keep using it to avoid us.”
I stoppedcold.
Then I turned andreallylooked at them.
They weren’t moving. Justwatchingme.
“Can we talk now?” Luca asked gently.
I hesitated. Then I nodded.
“We don’t want you to choose,” he said.
“And we’d really prefer if youdidn’t,” Bastion followed.
I stared at them like they’d spoken another language.
“Okay…” I exhaled, then narrowed my eyes. “Are you two done making fun of me?”
“We’re not making fun of you,” Luca said, his brow pulling slightly.
I didn’t believe them.Not really.
I hovered at the foot of the bed like a girl who didn’t belong to herself anymore.
Not really.
Not since the moment I walked in and saw the room — my bed gone, their beds gone. And now. One bed.
No excuses left.
