Chapter 275: Do you love me?
FEW WEEKS LATER,
Remo woke abruptly, the sound of muffled sobs pulling him from a deep, restful sleep. The room was dark, shadows dancing on the walls as the moonlight filtered through the curtains. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, trying to clear his mind of the lingering haze of dreams. As he became more alert, he realized the sobs were coming from beside him. He turned to find Abby sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoulders shaking with each quiet sob.
"Abby?" Remo’s voice was thick with concern and confusion. "What’s wrong?"
She shook her head, her hair cascading around her face like a dark veil. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, and she seemed to be trying hard to suppress the tears that flowed freely down her cheeks.
"Abby, please," Remo said more firmly, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "Talk to me. What’s going on?"
Abby flinched slightly at his touch but didn’t pull away. She continued to shake her head, her voice barely a whisper. "It’s nothing, Remo. Go back to sleep."
His worry deepened. He had never seen her like this, so utterly broken and vulnerable. He shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in an attempt to offer comfort. "Please, Abby. You’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong."
For a moment, there was only the sound of her quiet sobbing. Then she turned to him, her eyes red and glistening with tears. Her face was a mask of pain and uncertainty, emotions he had rarely seen her express so openly.
"Do you love me, Remo?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Just a little bit?"