"Do you love me?"
The question escaped me like a breath I'd been holding for years. It echoed in the silence between us, louder than any scream.
I felt naked standing there. Exposed and shaking.
"What?"
Christian's eyes searched mine. His silence wasn't cruel. It wasn't even cold. No. It was worse than that. It was careful.
And it felt like I'd gotten the answer already.
Something inside me broke instantly.
I suddenly felt foolish. Afraid.
But the question was already out there. There was no way to take it back. And until he answered, we were frozen on the spot.
My chest ached, "You heard me." I said, less confident now. "You won't let me go. You said you can't. Is it because you love me?"
I waited. Seconds passed. Each one louder than the last, and still… nothing.
"Say something," I whispered.
"Alora…" he said finally. "You know I care about you."
I flinched like he'd slapped me.
I care about you?
