Chapter 351

When she finished, she dried her hands and walked back to the bedroom. Jabco had just come out of the shower, his hair still damp. She didn’t look at him. She went to her side of the bed and lay down, facing away. A long silence followed. Then he spoke softly. “Are you… not angry anymore?” She didn’t answer. Jabco hesitated, then moved closer, wrapping an arm around her carefully, like someone touching something fragile. Riyana stayed still. Her body didn’t respond. Her heart didn’t soften. Her mind stayed sharp. He mistook her stillness for acceptance. He leaned closer, trying to pull her attention back, trying to pull her back to him. But inside Riyana, something hardened. Not pain. Not sadness. Resolve. She opened her eyes slowly, staring into the darkness. Finally, her voice came out. Quiet. Flat. Empty. “Just do whatever you want,” she said. “And then leave me alone.” The words landed between them like broken glass. Jabco froze. He pulled back immediately, staring at her face. Her