ELLA

I opened my eyes, narrowed them for a bit, let out a short chuckle, then closed them again.

It took all the self-control I could muster not to unleash a string of curses or lash out at him.

I kept reminding myself that I was conserving energy and he wasn’t worth the effort. If I could will myself to fall asleep right now, I would—without a care in the world.

He could stand there and talk to himself until dawn if it made him feel better about what he’d done.

All I truly wanted was to be left alone. My thoughts were enough company, and I’d rather have them...