The mansion was too big for silence.
Alexis hadn't said a word since last night.
Not when he carried her upstairs like she was still his.
Not when he'd pressed her into the mattress and hovered, thinking she'd crack.
Not when he didn't touch her because he knew if he did, she might slap him. Or kiss him. Or both.
Now, she sat at the edge of the massive bed, dressed in the clothes she'd come in, her red hair a mess of curls and fire. Her phone was in her hand, her boots laced up.
Still no sound.
Kai stood in the doorway, watching her like she might vanish if he blinked too long.
She didn't look at him. She didn't even flinch when he spoke.
"You're still not talking."
Her brows twitched. That was it.
"You're punishing me," he added.
Still nothing.
"You think that'll make me feel something?" he asked, quieter now. "Like guilt?"
She rose to her feet, movements precise. Deliberate.
Every step screamed I don't owe you a damn thing.
He swallowed hard.
"Alexis," he said again.
Finally, she looked at him. And that was somehow worse than being ignored. Her eyes were sharp, tired, done. But under all that… he still saw it.
The ache.
"What do you want from me, Kai?" she asked flatly.
He stepped forward once, but she held up a hand.
"Don't come closer. Just talk."
He stopped, lips parting.
Say it.
Say something normal. Something human.
But he couldn't. He was not human. And what he wanted from her had never been normal.
So instead, he said, "You're not leaving."
"Really?" she said, eyes wide. "Because I could've sworn I still had legs and free will."
"Don't mock me."
"Then don't talk like I'm a stray you picked off the street and fed once."
That one stung.
"You think I see you like that?" he asked.
"I don't know what the hell you see me as," she snapped, crossing her arms. "Some toy? A mouth you like to shut up with your hands between my legs? A warm body to hold until you remember you don't do feelings?"
His breath hitched. "You think I don't...?"
"Feel?" she laughed bitterly. "Yeah, I know. You've said that enough times."
"I never said I didn't feel anything for you."
Her jaw clenched.
"You heavily implied it."
They stared at each other like two storms clashing silent thunder, slow-building, ready to blow.
"I don't do relationships," he said finally, eyes like steel.
"Cool," she muttered. "Neither do I. Lucky you."
But the way her voice shook said otherwise.
And the way his hand flexed at his side said liar.
"You hate that you want me," he said, stepping into her personal space. "You hate that I undo you."
"I don't owe you my unraveling."
"No," he agreed. "But you gave it anyway."
Her lip curled. "Don't flatter yourself."
"I don't need to," he murmured, voice slipping lower. "I remember how you begged."
She slapped him.
The sound cracked the air.
His face didn't even turn, but the look in his eyes shifted. Darkened.
She gasped softly, like she hadn't expected herself to go there. But she didn't take it back.
And Kai… didn't leave.
He just stepped closer, until their breath tangled.
"You want space?" he asked quietly.
She nodded once. Sharp. Sure.
"Fine. Take it. Take all of it," he said, stepping back like it burned. "But don't pretend it's what you actually want."
Alexis didn't answer.
She didn't say anything when she left the room either.
And Kai didn't follow.
He just stood there, frozen in the space her absence had carved out like a hole in the floor. His cheek still stung, but the rest of him… missed her already.
Somewhere Else in the City, Hours Later
Alexis sat in Ivy's apartment, lights dim, curtains half-drawn. Ivy was still at work, thank God.
She hadn't told her a thing.
About Kai.
About the mansion.
About the slap.
She didn't know where to begin.
All she knew was that her body still remembered his touch.
And her heart was furious that it missed it.
She lay back on the couch, one arm flung over her face.
She wasn't crying.
Not really.
But the hollow ache in her chest wasn't silence anymore. It was anger. And… fear.
Not fear of him hurting her.
Fear of her not going.
Fear of staying for something that was never promised.
Her phone buzzed. She ignored it.
Then it buzzed again.
And again.
Finally, she peeked at the screen.
[Unknown Number]
1 New Message:"You left something behind."
She stared.
No name. But she knew who it was.
Then a photo popped up.
It was one of her earrings.
On his bed.
And then:
"You're not done here."