“Serena?”
“You know Serena?”
“I met a Serena at the library.”
Something in his face twitches, and that’s his giveaway.
“Oh, my god. That’s why she was there? She mentioned she knew you, but she didn’t say…” I trail off, trying to remember her face. I thought I made a friend.
Whatever Cody’s thinking, he keeps it to himself.
“So, you have a long list of girls you’ve slept with while you were with me?”
He runs his hand through his hair, watching me. “I occupied myself when I missed you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better, Cody Ravenshaw?”
When I say his full name, his eyes dart to mine, and then he’s ripping my pants off. “What’re you doing?” I pant from the fresh air hitting my skin.
“Tell me who you fucked, Adela.”
I shake my head. “No.”
He pulls my underwear down and grabs the candle again. He starts pouring it down my legs on the sensitive skin. I tremble, feeling every single bite of the burn. I breathe hard.
“Why are you protecting him?” Cody whispers. “Just tell me who it is.”
I wince at the pain. “Stop.”
He listens, putting the candle back on the nightstand. Then he starts peeling off the wax.
“Give me his name, babe. I’m done asking.”
“Today was the first time I’ve seen him since you woke up. He was just there.”
“But you like him?”
I can’t answer that, so instead, I say, “Cody, I thought you were going to die.” I well with tears. “It hurt so much when I found out you were unfaithful after I gave you everything.”
“So, you sleep with the first guy who gives you attention? That’s not the Adela I know.”
“I know. I thought you weren’t going to make it. I didn’t think you’d come back to me.”
“I’m here,” he says.
I nod as tears fall down my face.
“And you’re breaking up with me?”
“Because you cheated on me, Cody.”
“No,” he says. “You’re not breaking up with me. I woke up, and the first person I wanted to see was you.”
I shake my head, wishing I could wipe away my tears. My mind flashes to Theo licking them from my face.
“I woke up, and my priorities changed. I’m done with all of it. You come first, Adela, always. I love you. You have me. All of me.”
I cry, listening to his words. I want to believe him, but I don’t.
