Page 223 of Only Be Mine

Then he reached into the small dish by the entry table, the one where we always left our keys.

He picked up mine.

Not his.

Mine.

The metal glinted briefly under the light before he slipped them into his pocket.

I watched.

He saw me watching.

“For tonight,” he said evenly.

Like it was reasonable.

Like it was temporary.

Like it wasn’t exactly what it was.

My mouth went dry. “You think I’m going to leave?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Trevor’s expression softened again, almost affectionate. “I think you’re overwhelmed,” he said. “And overwhelmed people make impulsive decisions.”

He stepped closer one last time, brushing a kiss against my forehead.

The gesture was gentle.

Claiming.

“I can’t afford impulsive decisions right now,” he whispered, then he pulled away.

“Get some sleep,” he added. “We’ll handle this in the morning.”

He turned off the lights as he moved down the hallway.

One by one.

Until the house felt smaller.

Darker.

Contained.

I sat very still on the couch long after he disappeared into the bedroom.

As my wrist throbbed faintly beneath the melting ice, I let the truth settle fully into my bones…

I was not safe.

Not emotionally.

Not strategically.

Not physically.

Trevor didn’t think he would hurt me.