Chapter 56
NADIA.
It was already past midnight, and Riley hadn’t returned to our room. I badly wanted to see and talk to him. I had no idea what happened, and I was hoping he had calmed down by now.
I kept thinking about where I messed up or what I did wrong. Maybe he got tired of me.
Did he meet someone new? Is the mate bond not strong enough for someone to overcome temptation? Maybe I was just not good enough.
He had never abandoned me at night except for that one time I told him he couldn’t sleep beside me. All the time, he would be here by eight or nine in the evening.
I also kept looking out at the forest ground, checking if Hunter went out for a run, but I didn’t see him. He must be somewhere around the packhouse or in his office.
I waited for a few more minutes, and when I couldn’t take his absence anymore, I put on my robe and headed downstairs.
The house was already quiet, and the front door was locked. Only the dimmed lights were on, and the light illuminated under the door of his office.
He was still there.
I knocked three times, but I didn’t hear any response from the inside. I tried again. Nothing.
I turned the knob and pushed the door open.
I saw him sitting at his desk, his head tilted down, looking down at the document in his hand with his reading glasses on. I didn’t even know he used glasses. I guess there were still many things I didn’t know about him.
“You should be sleeping. It’s late.” His voice was cold and distant. He didn’t even glance up to look at me.
I remained standing by the door, internally hoping he would call me to his side.
But he didn’t.
“I want to check on you. It’s midnight. You should be resting.” I answered him in a calm manner, trying my best to keep my voice steady.
“I’m sleeping here tonight.”
“Riley, can we talk?”
“I’m busy. And we have nothing to discuss.”
“We don’t need to talk if you don’t want to. But at least go to bed with me.”
“How many times do I need to tell you I’m sleeping here tonight? Go now. Don’t disturb me.”
I bit my lower lip, my hands coiling into fists. His words were hurtful.
I wanted to be angry, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good at this point. Instead, I walked toward him. He must have felt my presence because he tilted his head and looked at me the moment I stopped beside his chair.
His eyes showed no emotions. It was as if I were looking at someone I’d never met before. But it all boiled down to one thing. He didn’t want me here anymore.
I didn’t say anything. I just leaned my head down and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead before turning on my heel and walking away quietly.
I knew what he wanted me to do. And I would do it.
I just wanted to kiss him and feel the sparks one last time before I moved on.