My chest is burning, acid running up my throat. It’s like she’s just thrust a knife through my skin and bones without even realizing she was holding a weapon. And worse than that, I can’t blame her for it, because she warned me to wear an armor in the first place.

“Right,” I say, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice.

Whatever. It doesn’t change anything. I can ignore this. Act like tonight didn’t happen. Maybe I can erase it from my mind the moment we get home. It would be burying my head in the sand, but who wouldn’t want to when being blind to the situation means continuing to play house with Wren? To kiss, and make love, and laugh.

I get back to walking, leading Wren toward the car. When we get to my SUV, I open the passenger door for her, then get in the driver’s seat.

As long as I can put tonight behind us, everything will be fine.

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

Wren

Something’s wrong with Aaron.

He’s been acting weird ever since we left the party. His hands are holding the steering wheel so tight, his fingers might break soon. And worst of all, he’s silent.

Aaron is never silent.

Maybe in the beginning, when he didn’t know me, he wasn’t the most talkative, but ever since we started our arrangement, he’s never stopped talking. Even when we tell each other goodnight and I close my eyes before going to sleep, he’ll break the silence fifteen seconds later to tell me one thing he forgot to share. And every time, I’ll open my eyes and listen to him attentively. It’s like he can’t tell me everything he needs to in a single day, and that always makes me feel warm inside.

But ever since we got into the car, the only sound between us has been the engine working and the soft music playing from the radio.

“Is something wrong?” I ask tentatively.

He shakes his head, but doesn’t turn to look at me or throw me one of his seductive smiles, which confirms something truly is wrong.

I don’t push it, instead leaning my head back and gazing out the window. If he doesn’t want to talk to me about something, it’s his right. There are certainly things I prefer to keep to myself too.

We continue the rest of the way in silence, tension still emanating out of Aaron’s every pore. Must’ve been this party.

I still can’t believe I brought him there. He’s probably still thinking about the fact that all these people we saw, but most importantly, Aqidah’s husband and children, will lose her sooner rather than later, and not in a beautiful, peaceful way. It’s scary—horrifying, even—to be faced with this reality.