Page 146 of My Only

I had to tell him what a genius he was.

I had just reached the bedroom when I stopped, deciding…

He’s likely busy working. I’ll text him instead.

Me: I found my old camera today. The skylights make every shot look unreal. I love your brain so much, baby.

I stared at the message for a long moment.

My finger hovered over the send button…

But I didn’t press it.

I removed my finger.

Then I deleted the message altogether, closing out the text app.

Because…

I wasn’t ready.

Not yet.

We weren’t cool.

Hadn’t slept in the same bed for three nights.

I had said I wanted a divorce…

And even though I hadn’t meant it, he didn’t know that.

And honestly?

I wasn’t ready to forgive him.

Not yet.

I shook the thoughts free, dropping my phone back onto the bed.

I focused down on my camera and sighed.

Today was about me, anyway.

I ran my thumb along the camera’s body, a smile curling at my lips.

“What else can I photograph?” I whispered to myself, already eager for the next shot.

CHAPTER 16

Hassani

The rain outside tapped against the glass, leaving behind streaks of water against the tall floor-to-ceiling windows. It was heavier moments ago but becoming lighter, hinting the weather would clear up soon. I sat back in my seat, inhaling a deep breath as I rolled my head around my neck, trying to shake off the tension.

I was tired… both physically and emotionally.

I’d been sleeping like shit for days now. Tossing, turning, barely catching two hours of rest before the morning hit.

I thought I wouldn’t know what a bed felt like without Ayla in it, but I’d found out three damn times already. And I hated every second of it.