“You loved it.”
“No, I didn’t. It was too loud. And you said I could choose today.”
“Yeah, I did promise. Okay, sweetheart, but I’m begging you, no romcoms.”
“You say no romcoms, but I saw you watching from the kitchen last time when you thought I didn’t see you.”
“That’s… Er… That’s not true. I was checking if the oven was turned off.” She doesn’t buy a word of it.
“I have an offer.”
“Go on.”
“It’s fantasy with action and a love story. Best of both worlds.”
“Honestly, sweetheart, you should’ve kept the romcom, ’cause no matter what you choose, I can’t refuse you anything.” She fake-slaps my chest, then kisses me, her hand sliding behind my neck as I pull her tight against me. “But you’re right,” I murmur against her lips. “Best of both worlds. Let’s watch that.” She smiles against my mouth, and I keep kissing her tenderly. Enjoying the fact that we have, indeed, all the time in the world now.
Chapter 2
Rose
Distant water drifts around me.I can’t see clearly. Shapes hover above, watching, but everything is blurry. A clock ticks somewhere. My lungs clamp shut, like a can crushed empty through a straw. I’m weightless, cloudlike, my eyes open underwater. Where am I? A voice calls out, too far to reach. Vox is here somewhere, but I can’t get to him. My eyes snap open. I’m in our bedroom, Vox’s arms tight around me, my back pressed to his chest, his nose tucked under my ear, our breathing falling into the familiar rhythm that always brings me back. I find his hand and squeeze once, anchoring myself.
“Nightmare again?” he murmurs, kissing my hair. The sun is still asleep, but I can see his face in the soft light of the little snow globe lamp he gave me months ago. A rose glows inside it when switched on. Just bright enough to keep the dark away. He reaches past me and grabs his phone to check the hour. 4:35.
“Sorry,” I whisper silently, lips shaping the word. He strokes my cheek, turning toward me.
He sighs. “Wish I could take them away from you.” Resignation settles in his features, like a quiet ache rearranging furniture and lighting candles inside him, stealing his peace. I kiss him gently, pushing away the bad memories with good ones. He kisses back, a low growl rumbling through him.
“Make it all better,” I sign. “Please.” He studies my face, searching for sadness and finding only hope. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for a day when my past won’t reach for me anymore. Because he knows me better than anyone, he understands exactly what I need. He kisses me and pulls me onto shore again, our hearts beating in unison as the sun rises with us. Losing a few hours of sleep is worth it. Later, he walks to the kitchen, making himself coffee and preparing hot cocoa for me. He tried giving me coffee once, but the taste was too strong.
“Here, angel,” he says. “Sit.” He motions toward the nook beside the bay window. I take the warm mug of chocolate heaven and curl into the cushions I picked out to brighten the space. He returns with a tray holding slices of the brioche from yesterday, cornflakes, my new favorite food, and his coffee. We eat in comfortable silence, trading glances, enjoying every bite while watching the sunrise. Pink and red wash over the trees, a view worthy of a painting. One I’ll never grow tired of.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asks, eyes on the window.
I look down at my hands wrapped around my mug, a beige one with red hearts painted on it. I set it on the tray and sign, “I keep thinking about what would’ve happened if you’d never moved next to me. Life would be so…different. I’d be married to an awful man. Probably pregnant.” A dark ache tugs at my chest as I think of all the younger girls still trapped in the cult.What will happen to them?He stays quiet, listening.
“You would’ve found a way out,” he signs. “One way or another.”
“I don’t know. If I’d had children, everything would have been different.” I shake my head, staring at my hands. Faint healed scars still mark my skin from the wooden ruler they used to punish me.
He stands, comes close, tilts my chin up with his hand, and kisses me. “If you really wanna know,” he says, voice low, “I would’ve found a way back to you. One way or another. Kids or no kids. I’d have gotten all of you out.” It sounds like a vow, and I fall in love with him all over again. Only Vox could love another man’s children just because they’d be a part of me. That’s how deep his love runs.
Later, we’re dressed and about to head out for a walk. I like going to the park near our home to read, but Vox prefers the privacy of the forest. I spin once in front of the mirror by the entryway, next to the shoe shelves where Vox lines up all our shoes in perfect order. I always try to keep it neat. I know clutter bothers him. I’m wearing the gear he bought me, his name sewn on the back in white so everyone knows I’m his. My reflection looks healthier now. More toned, more womanly, no longer on the edge of collapse like I used to be. I didn’t know what a balanced diet was until months ago. Vox introduced me to vegetables, fruit, pizza, pasta, and everything I wasn’t allowed before. Looking back, I realize how sick I must have seemed. Now I’m where I should’ve always been. Healthy and toned. Vox even leaves water bottles everywhere to make me drink more. I giggle every time I find one. The last one was in my sock drawer. My phone vibrates in my back pocket.
Vox
Ready, angel?
I smile, lock the door, and hurry to the garage. In two steps, I’m there. He hands me my helmet. “Rose, Rose, Rose… Whatam I gonna do with you?” he tsks, drinking me shamelessly. “Those pants on ya…” he mutters. I rise on my toes and kiss his jaw.
“Where are you taking us?” I sign.
“Forest?” he signs back. It’s one of our favorite places. I love the hum of town life and the quiet charm of our neighborhood, but nothing beats the calm of the forest. I suspect he knows that’s where my thoughts clear the most, and since I had a nightmare, that’s probably why he chose it today. Saturdays are one of my favorite days. We spend the whole day together, no classes or work between us. It always goes too fast. Time with Vox is never enough. Helmet secured, he turns from the bike, checks mine, and then grips my waist to lift me onto the back seat. His gaze burns with silent promises. Once we’re both settled, he finds my hand blindly and places it on his abdomen. I smile under the helmet. Vox always leads the way, always makes sure I’m with him, not lost in my head. The roar of the engine rumbles to life, filling me with a familiar, grounding warmth, and we set off toward the woods, our lovely home waiting for us to return.
Vox
“Which one did you take?” she signs as we sit on a bench overlooking the city, hidden among the trees. Seeing everything while staying concealed. She looks incredible in her black gear, our helmets waiting on the bike parked behind us. She’s eyeing my backpack as I unzip it to pull out the snacks I always grab for us. Gotta keep my girl fed at all times. Especially since she loves sweets so much. The way she closes her eyes and gives that silent hum, damn, it could almost stop my heart.
