Black Flowers

Lilia's head snapped up from the flowers as she turned to Evie in surprise. She hadn't expected Zethan to return today—especially after convincing herself not to get her hopes up.

For the past few days, she had imagined his return, thinking he might arrive early, that she might see him on the bed when she woke up, or that he would surprise her when she least expected it. But as each day passed, her expectations faded, little by little, until the hope that had once bloomed so eagerly inside her withered away.

She had been foolish to believe otherwise.

Just because they had shared those moments didn't mean she should feel… anything.

She wasn't sure if she was beginning to develop feelings for Zethan, but whatever they were, she needed to face reality. She knew Zethan—he was a man devoid of emotions. It would be delusional to think they could ever fall in love, or that if she fell for him, he would feel the same.