Chapter 2

This was Julian's favorite way to reply.

It was his way of showing his annoyance and dismissiveness.

He probably thought I would do what I always did—that after he ignored me for two days, I would crawl back, apologize, and beg for his forgiveness.

I didn't reply.

In the past, even if he just sent a single punctuation mark, I would be thrilled. I would rack my brain to find topics to keep the conversation going.

But now, I didn't care anymore.

Sensing my coldness, Julian texted again half a day later.

"Are you mad?"

"How about I come over tonight so we can talk?"

I replied: "Okay."

While I was working in the afternoon, the power went out. I just sat in the living room, waiting.

The darkness felt like a giant monster creeping up on me.

I have severe nyctophobia—a crippling fear of the dark. The pale light from my phone screen was my only lifeline.

Julian had texted saying he didn't have overtime tonight and would be home by 9:00 PM at the latest.

My phone alarm went off over and over. 11:30 PM. 12:00 AM. 12:30 AM.

Still, there was no sign of him, and no messages.

I needed to sleep.

My doctor had warned me repeatedly that I couldn't keep staying up late.

I took another melatonin and went straight to bed.