T H I R T Y - F I V E

ALEXANDER.

I move away from Arabella after those words, feeling my body go stiff from hearing that again. Especially in that position.

She also raises from the bed after me, her body turned to me and I clear my throat. "We should leave now."

"Oh. Okay?" Her voice is small as I watch her move away from the bed. She plays with the edge of her gown as she stands before me without saying a word.

"Go on. I’ll meet you in the living room." I tell her and she nods before she slowly walks out of my room.

Once she’s out, I fall back on my bed with a sigh. Why would she utter those words? I had let myself feel too relaxed around Arabella that I forgot there could be a time this would happen.

Those words she uttered brought back so many memories. Memories I’ve kept deep inside of me. Not because I regret them, but I’ve got no other choice but to forget about them.

Despite that, I still cherish them deeply and Arabella saying such words to me makes my heart ache in a way I haven’t felt in a