REYNA'S POV

I waited until I heard the front door shut behind Nicholas. The sound echoed through the quiet house, and for a moment, I just stood there, holding my breath. It felt strange that I could breathe easier only after he left. Maybe that said something about us… or maybe it just said something about the life I had stepped into.

Either way, the moment he was gone, a hard push moved through me.

Enough waiting. Enough pretending. Enough letting fear sit on my chest like a weight.

I ...