The moment Axel saw me, he straightened. "Where were you?" he asked.
I wrapped my coat tighter around me, feeling the documents press against my chest.
"Layla, you've been out all day. Where have you been?"
I looked at the man I'd married, a stranger who said he was protecting me while hiding things. I know he has my best interests at heart, but my mother's warning played in my mind: be careful who you trust, even Axel.
"I need to go to my room."
"That's not an answer. I asked where you were."
I stared at him blankly, my mind still replaying the moment my mother's hand went limp in mine.
"Layla? Are you listening to me?"
"Can we just... can we talk tomorrow?" My voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.
"Tomorrow? Layla, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I almost chuckled at the irony of it. If only he knew.
Talking about it felt like admitting she was really gone. So, instead of giving him a reply, I just started walking toward the stairs.
