“I want you to act like you have a heart instead of just playing with mine.” She snapped, meaning it, but also hearing every line in his body telling her to walk away. Her instinct was to push, to demand he stand up and fight, but she also feared something in his tone. She couldn’t fight this, not when he phrased the evening like that.

Forcing herself not to scream, not to shout, she grit out, “Fine, for tonight. I still want a bloody explanation.” Not waiting for his further dismissal, she headed for the fireplace, a tiger with its tail snapping.

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