|Theodore|
“Do you believe...her?”
my gaze fixed on Carmella as she lay beside me, her body nestled close against mine. The warmth of her skin and the rhythm of her breathing filled the silence between us, yet my mind was restless.
What her mother had just disclosed earlier has been on my mind. In all candor, it was causing me anxiety. My eyes searched hers, hoping to find an answer even before she spoke. Her gaze met mine, steady but heavy-lidded with exhaustion. Her eyes, though soft, carried the weight of the evening, and suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt for disturbing her peace.
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t answer right away. Instead, I noticed the faint traces of sleepiness in her expression, and any resolve I had to press her further melted away. She needed rest, not
