Chapter 3

In the middle of the night, I felt a shadow hovering over me.

Julian was standing by the bed. He turned on the nightstand lamp, his voice laced with irritation as he called my name. "Chloe."

Drowsy from the sleeping pill, my brain was slow to react.

His annoyance grew, his voice louder this time. "Chloe!"

I rubbed my eyes. "You're back?"

He froze for a second, then let out a cold scoff.

I felt confused. I had no idea what he was angry about.

Was he mad because I didn't wait up for him on the couch until midnight like I used to?

Or was he mad because I wasn't screaming at him about Tiffany this time?

"I'm going back to sleep then."

I pulled the blanket over my head, wanting to drift back to sleep.

Julian frowned and yanked the blanket away. "The power went out at Tiffany’s apartment tonight, and she’s terrified of the dark. So..."

"Okay."

I didn't even let him finish. "I get it."

Julian paused, then continued, "Stop picking fights with her. She's just a young girl."

"When we get married, she’ll basically be your family too."

The sleepiness from the melatonin was fading. I forced a smile. "Can we talk tomorrow? I'm really tired."

Julian stared deep into my eyes. After what felt like forever, he finally backed down.

"Go to sleep if you're tired."

"I'll turn off the light for you."

"Don't!" I smacked his hand away just as he reached for the switch.

My phone, which I had been using as a flashlight, had already died.

This lamp was my only light source.

"I don't like sleeping in the dark."

Julian stood there, stunned for a moment. "Fine. Sleep then."

As I drifted back into a light sleep, I faintly heard the sound of the front door closing.

Whatever.

At least the light was on.