Chapter 25

Chloe’s POV

Drake returned late that night.

I was in the bedroom, sitting at the edge of the bed, fully dressed. I had not turned the lights off. I did not want softness. I wanted clarity.

He walked in without knocking. “You are awake,” he said.

“I was waiting,” I replied.

He closed the door behind him. “For what?”

“For answers,” I said. “And for myself.”

His jaw tightened. “This again.”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “This again.”

He took off his jacket slowly and placed it on the chair. His movements were controlled. Too controlled. “You already know why things are tight,” he said. “We discussed this.”

“We discussed what you decided,” I replied. “Not what I agreed to.” He looked at me carefully. “What do you want, Chloe?”

“I want limited independence,” I said. “I want to be able to step outside. I want to move within reason. I want to breathe without asking permission.”

“That is not possible right now,” he said.