A Divorce He Regrets (Alissa Nexus) novel Chapter 378

AVA

I kept pretending that I was fine because it was so much easier than admitting how much I wasn’t.

Every morning started the same with me smiling too tightly, answering too quickly and moving too fast like I could outrun the unease that had been crawling under my skin for days. It wasn’t just my nerves or guilt anymore, it was something else, a feeling that crept in when the house grew too quiet and when the shadows lingered longer than they should have.

I felt like we were being watched, it started small with the risky click of something outside my window one night, the reflection of headlights that didn’t move for a while. Then the same car parked across the street two days in a row, I had told myself that it was paranoia and I wanted to believe that, but deep down, something in me knew better.

I had been avoiding Kye since the hospital, avoiding his apologies, his explanation and his eyes. It should have been easy, considering the fact that the house was big enough to get lost in. Except that he somehow always found me—in the kitchen, in the hallway, in my own head, and now, apparently, in my bed.

When I woke up that morning, I didn’t realize it at first, but my pillow was warm, my body relaxed for once and my breathing was in sync with someone else’s. It was the best sleep I had had in days, the first night without nightmares or the heavy weight of dread sitting on my chest.

Then I opened my eyes and Kye was lying beside me like it was the most natural thing in the world. One arm was draped loosely over his chest, his hair messy and his lips curved in that infuriating smirk that always managed to undo me. What the hell is he doing here?

For a full three seconds, my mind blanked, then heat rushed to my face and instinct took over.

I didn’t plan to slap him… it just happened and his eyes snapped open instantly, confusing flickering across his face before he smirked again. Of course that’s the first thing he does.

“What the hell are you doing here?” My voice came out sharper than I wanted.

He stretched lazily, like a cat basking in sunlight. “Good morning to you too.”

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. “Answer the damn question, Kye.”

He caught it effortlessly, grinning. “Relax, you looked lonely.”

“Get. Out.”

Well, he isn’t wrong. I let out a sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Fine, but not here or now. I really have to get ready for school.”

His smile returned, faint but genuine this time. “Then we’ll talk there.”

I pointed towards the door. “Go.”

“Get out, Kye.”

He left with a crooked grin and I threw one last pillow at the closing door.