MainNovelChapter 36 ~ Triggered
ATHENA
"How long have we been married?" | ask as Alex opens the door.
"Three years." He responds.
His voice is distant but his touch is gentle and it makeswonder what type of marriage we've had.
It's been a week since I've been in the hospital and | got sick of it. | wanted to chome, but I didn't know
where my hwas when Ariana, who happens to be my mother-in-law, toldshe's my family.
If it was up to her, | would have moved into their house before moving back with Alex and it maderealize
immediately that his family is warm and they seem to like me.
Although, from how awkward it's been, | couldn't help but wonder if there is love between us.
"Oh my God!" The gasp leaves my mouth as | drink in the view. | knew it was a beautiful house just from the
view on our way here, but | wasn't so sure, but now | am.
"You like it?" His deep voice reaches my ear and | jump about to turn when | lose my balance but he holds me
before my ass can kiss the floor.
"Careful."
Thump
Thump
My heart beats so loud I'm afraid it will burst. | can't look at him so | stare at his chest since he's so fucking tall.
Feeling like I'm being burnt from how hot my skin is, | pull away and clear my throat,
"Yes. Uhm... it's beautiful."
He nods and grabs my bag and steps in.
"I'll get a bath started for you but first I'll show you your room." He announces and
I nod.
My room.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Not our room.
"Do we sleep separately?" | ask.
He freezes. As if only realizing what he's just said when he turns,
"For now, yes. The doctor advised us to since | may be like a stranger."
That's a lie. But | nod.
He walks past the cozy living room and upstairs to the right where he holds the door open,
| step in and words dry from my mouth.
The room is... breathtaking.
Soft, warm lighting fills the space, highlighting the luxurious, yet oddly comforting decor.
The large bed is neatly made, draped in plush, cream-colored sheets, and the windows stretch from floor to
ceiling, showcasing a stunning view of the lake.
How rich is this man?
This must have cost millions, give or take.
I walk around but notice it only has a bed, a bathroom, and a study table.
A frown crosses my face,
"What about my clothes?"
"In the closet, across the hall."
Yep. Totally cost millions.
This is my room.
But nothing about it feels familiar.
I walk in slowly, my fingers trailing over the expensive-looking table.
Everything looks untouched, too neat, too... distant. Like a place | live in but never truly existed in. Although a
part ofwonders if we did live here at all.
| turn to Alex, who stands by the
door, watchingcarefully. His
face is unreadable, his posturenet
tense, as if he's waiting for my reaction.
| clear my throat. "This is where | sleep?"
His green eyes flicker with something | can't nbefore he nods. "Yes."
| sit on the edge of the bed, testing the softness. "It doesn't feel like mine.”
His lips press into a thin line. "It is."
The way he says it, like dealing withis a chore and he has better things to do
makes something uneasy twist in my stomach.
| glance at him. "Where do you sleep?"
A beat of silence.
Then, he shifts. "Down the hall."
A sharp pang of something unfamiliar shoots through me.
It doesn't make sense. | don't remember him. | don't remember us. But the idea of
sleeping in separate rooms makes my chest feel tight.
| don't know why.
| chew my bottom lip, debating whether to push for more answers. But something about the way he stands
there, so rigid, like he's barely holding himself together, stops me.
Instead, | nod, my voice soft. "Okay."
His jaw tightens, but he says nothing.
After a moment, he steps in. "I'll start the bath." He walks in towards my bathroom
and | have no energy to tell him I'll do it myself.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
"I don't know how rich you are, but can you afford a helper?"
He pauses on the door.
"For what?"
"To stay withwhile | recover."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I'm here." He responds like that's supposed to be something.
I snort.
"Is that a problem?" He sounds irritated.
"Yeah, | wouldn't want to get you fired from your job." I lie.
When what | actually want to say, is you're so uptight and it's not only annoying it's uncomfortable.
He doesn't respond to that, he opens the door connecting to my bathroom and steps in.
A few minutes later.
He steps out,
"It's ready. Do you wantto help you?" He asks.
"No." | retort.
| stand, and grab the towel from him and walk in but halt my steps when | see the water in the bathtub.
Something insidestills and tears prick my eyes. My breathing is laboured and suddenly I'm gasping for air as
Ilook at it.
So clear and still yet it scaresto death.
My chest tightens.
| can't breathe.
My throat feels like it's closing, my skin prickling with invisible needles. My vision blurs as my legs give out, and |
collapse onto the cold tiled floor, the towel slipping from my grasp.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
