Chapter 100: The Name No One Spoke
Theo knew the exact moment Danielle stopped pretending she was asleep.
Her breathing changed first.
The small, controlled rhythm she had kept while faking sleep melted into a softer moan. Her fingers, which she had tried to hold still, loosened and relaxed beside her. Her head grew heavier against his thigh and stopped fighting the comfort she clearly needed.
He watched her for a moment longer, making sure she was truly gone before he moved.
Slowly, carefully, he slid his hands under her shoulders and lifted her.
She fit against him too easily, her cheek brushed his collarbone before he placed her down on the bed.
Danielle stirred once, maybe sensing she was no longer on him, but Theo tucked the blanket around her and she settled again.
He stepped away, grabbed the nearest chair and pulled it beside the bed.
He was not going to sleep tonight.
Not while everything felt wrong.
