Elena’s POV

When Damien came out of the bathroom, I was still sitting on the sofa. The sound of the shower had stopped a while ago, but I didn’t move or look up. I could hear the faint creak of the floor as he walked toward me.

He stopped beside the table, picked up a cigarette, and lit it. The faint smell of tobacco spread through the room. He exhaled slowly, the smoke hanging in the air.

“Didn’t drink the tea?” he asked. His voice was calm, almost emotionless.

I looked down and ...