YELENA

“At least give me a kiss,” he said softly.

I looked away. “I’m not your wife.”

He sighed, sitting up properly now. “You want me to read the letter, right? If I read it, you’ll stop being angry?”

I didn’t answer.

“Fine,” he muttered and finally opened it.

Silence filled the room, heavy and slow.

I found myself watching him without meaning to. At first, nothing changed. Then his body stiffened. His jaw tightened. His eyes… shifted.

The blue darkened, ...