Aldus and Livia sat side by side on the bed, their backs pressed against the headboard. A blanket was wrapped around Livia's shoulders, cocooning her trembling body.
After a long, heavy silence, they somehow ended up tangled together on the mattress—seeking comfort, seeking clarity, seeking something to hold on to.
Aldus had hoped that maybe, just maybe, a heated moment between them would wipe Aldrake from her mind.
But it didn't.
Livia remained quiet.
"Livia," Aldus called her softly, though his voice carried a tremor, "don't show me that he still affects you. Because… because it hurts me." He hadn't meant to confess it—not like this—but the raw truth slipped out.
Livia lifted her gaze. The first thing she noticed was the tight clench of Aldus's jaw, followed by the way his fist had curled so hard.
She straightened her posture and gently cupped his face, turning him fully toward her.
Livia gave him a small, tender smile as her thumb brushed softly along his cheek.
