After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 51

In the darkness, I slid to the floor, my body trembling. My lifelong fear of darkness was something Luke remembered, at least. "Yvonne? Yvonne, are you alright?"

I barely managed to whisper, "Fine."

"Mandy, come down, Yvonne has a real phobia of darkness..."

"Luke, I'm terrified too," Mandy whimpered, "please don't let me go..."

Just like that, I ceased to exist. His attention completely absorbed by Mandy.

My extremities grew cold and clammy.

The memory was still fresh – another elevator, another blackout. Trapped between floors, I'd frozen in terror, shaking uncontrollably. Luke, despite his germaphobia, had held me close, gentle and protective. No revulsion. No complaints. Just like he was holding Mandy now.

"Luke..."

The darkness amplified my vulnerability as tears traced down my cheeks.

I still yearned for his embrace.

But Luke shattered that hope himself. "Mandy's injured..."

I fell silent, burying my face in my arms.

Luke had, predictably, forgotten my shrimp allergy. "You must be hungry, eat while it's hot," he said, oblivious to the danger.

I ate every bite, consequences be damned.

As my skin began to flush and itch, I remained indifferent.

"Come to my place for dinner tomorrow. It's your birthday," I told him. Luke looked surprised but agreed readily.

Then I rose to search for antihistamines.