The room was silent. Only the faint ticking of a clock could be heard in the darkness. The curtains were tightly closed, and the lamp left only a dim glow in the corner of the room. Lena lay with her back facing Neil. Her body was restless and uneasy, pulling the blanket up only to throw it off again. Her breathing was heavy, as if she were holding back something that was about to explode.

Neil opened his eyes, watching Lena’s restless back. Slowly he shifted closer, then suddenly wrapped his ...