Chapter 36 Triggered
Chapter 36 Triggered
ATHENA
~
“How long have we been married?” I ask as Alex opens the door.
“Three years.” He responds.
+25 BONUS
His voice is distant but his touch is gentle and it makes me wonder what type of marriage we’ve had. It’s been a week since I’ve been in the hospital and I got sick of it. I wanted to come home, but I didn’t know where my home was when Ariana, who happens to be my mother–in–law, told me she’s my family. If it was up to her, I would have moved into their house before moving back with Alex and it made me realize immediately that his family is warm and they seem to like me.
Although, from how awkward it’s been, I couldn’t help but wonder if there is love between us.
“Oh my God!” The gasp leaves my mouth as I drink in the view. I knew it was a beautiful house just from the view on our way here, but I wasn’t so sure, but now I am.
“You like it?” His deep voice reaches my ear and I jump about to turn when I lose my balance but he holds me before my ass can kiss the floor.
“Careful.”
Thump
Thump
My heart beats so loud I’m afraid it will burst. I can’t look at him so I stare at his chest since he’s so fucking tall.
Feeling like I’m being burnt from how hot my skin is, I pull away and clear my throat,
“Yes. Uhm… it’s beautiful.”
He nods and grabs my bag and steps in.
“I’ll get a bath started for you but first I ‘ll show you your room.” He announces and I nod.
My room.
Not our room.
“Do we sleep separately?” I ask.
He freezes. As if only realizing what he’s just said when he turns,
“For now, yes. The doctor advised us to since I may be like a stranger.”
That’s a lie. But I nod.
He walks past the cozy living room and upstairs to the right where he holds the door open,
I step in and words dry from
my mouth.
1/4
Chapter 36 Triggered
The room is… breathtaking.
Soft, warm lighting fills the space, highlighting the luxurious, yet oddly comforting decor.
+25 BONUS
The large bed is neatly made, draped in plush, cream–colored sheets, and the windows stretch from floor to ceiling, showcasing a stunning view of the lake.
How rich is this man?
This must have cost millions, give or take.
I walk around but notice it only has a bed, a bathroom and a study table.
A frown crosses my face,
“What about my clothes?”
“In the closet, across the hall.”
Yep. Totally cost millions.
This is my room.
But nothing about it feels familiar.
I walk in slowly, my fingers trailing over the expensive–looking table.
Everything looks untouched, too neat, too… distant. Like a place I live in but never truly existed in. Although a part of me wonders if we did live here at all
I turn to Alex, who stands by the door, watching me carefully. His face is unreadable, his posture tense, as if he’s waiting for my reaction.
I clear my throat. “This is where I sleep?”
His green eyes flicker with something I can’t name before he nods. “Yes.”
I sit on the edge of the bed, testing the softness. “It doesn’t feel like mine.”
His lips press into a thin line. “It is.”
120
The way he says it, like dealing with me is a chore and he has better things to do makes something uneasy twist in my stomach.
I glance at him. “Where do you sleep?”
A beat of silence.
Then, he shifts. “Down the hall.”
A sharp pang of something unfamiliar shoots through me.
It doesn’t make sense. I don’t remember him. I don’t remember us. But the idea of sleeping in separate rooms makes my chest feel tight.
I don’t know why.
2/4
I chew my bottom lip, debating whether to push for more answers. But something about the way he stands there, so rigid, like he’s barely holding himself together, stops me.
Instead, I nod, my voice soft. “Okay.”
His jaw tightens, but he says nothing.
After a moment, he steps in. “I’ll start the bath.” He walks in towards my bathroom and I have no energy to tell him I’ll do it myself.
“I don’t know how rich you are, but can you afford a helper?”
He pauses on the door.
“For what?”
“To stay with me while I recover.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m here.” He responds like that’s supposed to be something.
I snort.
“Is that a problem?” He sounds irritated.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to get you fired from your job. I lie.
When what I actually want to say, is you’re so uptight and it’s not only annoying it’s uncomfortable.
He doesn’t respond to that, he opens the door connecting to my bathroom and steps in.
A few minutes later.
He steps out,
“It’s ready. Do you want me to help you?” He asks.
“No.” I retort.
I stand, and grab the towel from him and walk in but halt my steps when I see the water in the bathtub.
Something inside me stills and tears prick my eyes. My breathing is laboured and suddenly I’m gasping for air as I look at it.
So clear and still yet it scares me to death.
My chest tightens.
I can’t breathe.
My throat feels like it’s closing, my skin prickling with invisible needles. My vision blurs as my legs give out, and I collapse onto the cold tiled floor, the towel slipping from my grasp.
