Page 51 of Sinner's Salvation

“Cameron,” her voice breaks.

I understand her need for control. Aren’t we all the same?

“Fine.”

She smiles so brightly and radiantly that it lights up her face. At the ethereal vision, I swallow the torrent of emotions assaulting me. She follows me downstairs, and I try to hide my grin. She’s really smart. I like that about her. I turn the power back on, and when we’re back upstairs, I say, “Don’t stay long, okay?”

“Okay.”

Civility? Who would have thought?

“Now that you know where the fuse box is, don’t think that I don’t have other ways to turn the power off.”

She slams the door to her gaming room in my face.

***

An assortment of breakfast foods lie on the table in the dining room. My gaze fixes on the vacant spot next to me and the empty plate. Violet must be asleep.

Silence has been a trusty companion in this house. Peaceful, serene, just me and my thoughts. That has been my routine for years, yet I want her here. She’ll eat with me if I have to make her. I am about to push my chair back when she steps inside the room, surprising the fuck out of me.

“Good morning,” she says, placing her phone on the table.

She gets right to putting a boiled egg, cheese, and a few figs on her plate. I reach for her phone.

“Hey, give that back.”

Ignoring her, I type in my number, calling myself. Just to mess with her, I save my contact as Best Husband Ever.

I save her number in my phone as My Little Freak.

She rolls her eyes and types something on her phone when she sees what I did. My bet would be she changed my name.

It’s too early to get riled up by her little rebellious act.

“Anything else?” She bats her eyelashes at me—long and curved up.

This can’t be happening. Only a few days ago, I thought she wasn’t my type. Now, I find things about her that are endearing.

“I’ll know if you don’t spend one hour outdoors.”

“What am I supposed to do outside?” Her entire body trembles, but that won’t dissuade me. She shouldn’t expect understanding from me.

“Look at it like this... only death do us part.”

“I’m not afraid of dying.”

“And until you tell me the cause of your fears, nothing will change.”

“As if I would ever tell you.”

“You will. I won’t wrap you in cotton and build walls just so you can feel safe. I will push you.”

“You were sent from hell to torment me.”

“That would make you my queen.”

“Ugh,” she says, sending one last scathing look my way before she eats in silence.

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