Chapter 45: Closed windows
Music Recommendation: The missing piece - Eleftherios
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Inside the room, Ruelle changed out of her dirt-streaked, disheveled clothes with trembling fingers. Her skin felt clammy, the memory of being locked in that dark, cramped cupboard still weighing on her chest. Buttoning up her nightdress to her chin, she felt a flicker of relief knowing Lucian hadn’t seen Ezekiel’s embrace. But why had Lucian assumed she was married?
When a flash of lightning split the night, illuminating the room with harsh light, she jumped on the couch, instinctively pulling the blanket up to her chin as the rumble shook the window.
Then, just as silence settled again, the door creaked open, and Lucian stepped into the room. For a brief moment, he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable. Closing the door, he spoke, his tone even, carrying just a hint of detachment,
"I informed Blake that you are safe. You should go to sleep. It’s late, and we have classes in the morning."
Ruelle nodded. "I...yes, I was about to." She hesitated, then added, "Thank you for letting Hailey know."
He cocked his head slightly before turning away.
Ruelle took her cue to lay down on the couch, while clutching the blanket and her gaze following her roommate. She noticed him sit on the edge of the bed, pulling out the laces of his shoe, before removing it.
His hand lifted toward the candle to extinguish it, but a sudden crash of thunder shook the room, making her flinch, her heart pounding against her ribcage. His fingers paused, curling back before dropping to his side, the candle left to burn.
Just as Ruelle began to feel herself drifting, she heard Lucian say something but didn’t quite catch it. She asked just above a whisper,