JULIAN

I woke up before Claire, the morning light was just starting to filter through the curtains. I lay there for a while, looking at her sleeping beside me.

She looked peaceful and unguarded, last night felt like a dream that had turned into a nightmare. I got out of bed carefully and went to the kitchen, made coffee and stood at the window, watching the city wake up.

My mind kept replaying the moment she pulled away, the words she'd said. I was trying not to think about what it meant, but I couldn't help myself.

Around eight, Claire came out of the bedroom. She was in pajamas, her...