Chapter 72: Just Curious
Warm sunlight crept through the partially drawn curtains, casting golden streaks across the king-sized bed in Stefan’s room.
Stefan turned onto his side, blinking against the light. For a moment, everything felt calm. Too calm. He’d almost even forgotten he could see now since he’d almost gotten used to the blindness.
He sighed when his eyes adjusted to the light and he could feel Ivy beside him—her breathing soft and even. Her back was to him, the covers pulled up to her shoulder.
Last night had been strange despite the fact that she’d always been the one with him all these months or maybe not.
She had come to find him hours after disappearing into her old room, all sweet words and gentle touches, whispering apologies and saying she didn’t want to sleep alone. But her touch had felt foreign. Mechanical. As if she was trying too hard.
He shifted, resting his arm beneath his head, watching the back of her. Ivy—or whoever she truly was—had clung to him last night, whispering that she missed being close to him. That she had just been tired and overwhelmed. But even in that moment, Stefan had sensed something off.
How could she miss being close to him when they’ve always been together? Even in the hospital? Infact they’d been together the night before and she’d only left to go bath and change.
He watched as she stirred, slowly turning to face him, her eyes fluttering open. Her hair was tousled in a way that seemed too perfect, her smile too prepared.
"Good morning," she said, voice soft.
Stefan studied her, searching for something familiar in her features. "Morning," he said finally, his tone neutral.
She scooted closer, her hand tracing lazy circles across his chest. "Did you sleep well?"
"Well enough." He kept his eyes on her. "You?"