Chapter Nine – The Confession

Charisse

The storm started in her head long before the rain did.

It was quiet at first — just noise under her skin, the kind that hums when you try not to think. But silence had a way of becoming unbearable in Lucian’s penthouse. The air here felt too still, like it was waiting for something to happen. Like he was waiting.

Charisse sat by the window, knees tucked up, watching the city smear itself in silver through the glass. The rain came soft, then ...