The sun sat high and heavy in the sky, pressing heat down over the estate like a suffocating weight. By the time Ashton returned, I was already on the couch, my skin damp with sweat, my mind drifting as I stared into nothing. The air inside felt thick, almost charged, and even the bond between us seemed tense and restless.
His gaze landed on me immediately, sharp and disapproving. "Are you planning to overheat yourself and harm the child too?" His voice carried that familiar authority.
I only glanced at him, expression flat, and said nothing. Talking would only turn into something sharper. So I stood up, ignoring his presence, and walked back into the bedroom.
He followed.
The pressure of his presence filled the room before he even spoke. After a moment, he picked up a white dress from the side and tossed it toward me. "Change. We're going out."
I didn't move right away. My body felt heavy, my energy low. "I don't want to," I said, already settling into refusal.
