The moment the question left Linsy’s lips, a cold wave of regret washed over her. What was the point? If Michael were capable of articulating a reason rooted in anything other than cold practicality or possession, their marriage would not be this beautiful, gilded ruin.

"Are you feeling any better?" she asked instead, her fingers continuing their gentle, circular motion at his temples, a practiced ritual that felt both intimately familiar and agonizingly distant.

He let out a slow breath, ...