Chapter 302
Chapter $7
The next morning, things somehow managed to get even worse.
Graham woke before dawn, the room still bathed in muted gray light. Isla was curled into a tight ball beside him, her face half–buried in the pillow, breathing soft and shallow. For a long moment, he just watched her. The faint freckles on her nose, the delicate rise and fall of her shoulders beneath the duvet–so familiar, yet so far away.
He leaned over and, with more gentleness than he thought himself capable of, pressed his lips to her forehead. “Good morning, sweetheart, he murmured.
The reaction was instant.
Her eyes shot open, wide and startled. She gasped–actually gasped–and scrambled backward like he was something monstrous. The sheets tangled around her legs as she twisted herself free and practically stumbled off the side of the bed.
Graham sat there, stunned, as she pressed herself against the wall. Her chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. Her gaze darted from him to the door like a cornered animal.
‘1–I’m sorry,‘ she stammered, voice trembling. And then she bolted.
The bedroom door slammed behind her, leaving only the ghost of her fear hanging in the air.
Graham exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. The warmth of her skin from that single kiss lingered faintly on his lips. His jaw tightened, and he rubbed it roughly with one hand, trying to scrub away the unfamiliar sensation clawing through his chest.
She acted like I was going to attack her.
The thought lodged itself like a shard of glass in his ribs.
He forced himself to get up, shower, and go about his morning. But the image of Isla’s wide, terrified eyes haunted him.
At breakfast, things were no better. Isla sat stiffly across from him, her hands clasped in her lap. When she did glance his way, it was with a tight, nervous smile that disappeared as quickly as it appeared. And for the rest of the meal, she stared at her plate like it might offer her an exam
Graham tried. God help him, he tried. He asked her about her sleep, about the books she liked to read, even about the day answered in monosyllables and then fell silent again.
He clenched his fork so tightly it bent.
Jetime she
By midafternoon, his patience was fraying. He left his study to go downstairs, and as he stepped into the hallway, he saw her at the bannister
Perfect
He straightened and walked toward her. Isla’s head jerked up when she saw him
As they passed each other, his hand brushed lightly against hers on the polished wood railing. It was the smallest, most innocent touch
She recoiled like shed been scorched. Her hand yanked away so fast she nearly lost her balance. Her eyes those dark eyes he’d once found mesmerising
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Chapter 302
widened in startled fear.
“S–sorry!” she squeaked, her voice cracking. Then she spun around and practically ran up the stairs, disappearing down the hall.
Graham stood there, frozen. His hand still hovered over the bannister where hers had been.
His chest ached in a way he didn’t know how to describe. He turned and went back into his study, slamming the door behind him.
He threw himself into his work, but the numbers on the papers blurred. The only thing he saw was her terrified expression. Her retreating back. Her hand pulling away from his like his touch was poison.
She’s scared of me.
The realization settled over him like ice water.
My own wife is scared of me.
He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. The heaviness pressed harder against his ribs with every breath. His mind spiraled into places he didn’t want to go, to words he didn’t want to think..
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
