"You deserve it," I said. "Think about what you did to me."
"I know." His voice shook. "I know I deserve it. But Noelle, I'm human too. I get jealous. I hurt..."
Leo stirred in my arms, making soft little sounds.
Finally getting sleepy.
"Let me put him down first."
Kholod stood frozen, watching me. I gently placed Leo in his crib and tucked him in.
"Sleep tight," I whispered.
When I turned around, Kholod was still there.
"Noelle," he said suddenly. "I've made a decision."
"What decision?"
"I'm moving in here."
"Kholod, don't push your luck!"
"How is this pushing my luck?" He stepped closer. "I need everyone to see exactly who you belong to."
"You're insane! I'll never agree to that!"
"Why not?" He kept advancing. "I'm your husband. I have every right to live here."
"You—"
"I know you don't accept me yet, but I can wait. Noelle, I can't stand watching you and Lorenzo be so close anymore."
He trapped me between the wall and his body, hands braced on either side of me.
"Don't worry," he leaned down, his breath brushing my cheek. "I'll just take even better care of you."
"Impossible!"
"Say yes." His eyes pleaded. "Let me stay. I promise I won't bother you. I can sleep on the couch, do whatever you want..."
"No..."
"Why?" Panic flashed in his eyes. "Noelle, are you waiting for him to come back?"
"I'm not..."
"Then let me stay." His voice turned stubborn. "Noelle, please..."
His tone was demanding, his movements possessive, but the vulnerability and fear in his eyes were crystal clear. Even after all these days together, he still lived in constant terror—afraid of losing me, afraid Lorenzo would return, afraid I'd choose someone else.
Seeing him like this made my heart soften. Then I hated myself for that softness. Just like I hated this body that he could always so easily bewitch.
Fine.
One more month. If he behaved himself for one more month, maybe... maybe I could consider telling him the truth about Leo.
"All right," I finally gave in. "But you sleep on the couch."
