After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 63

By the time Pax returned, the night was deep, and I had long since gone to bed.

He moved carefully, leaning down to press a featherlight kiss to my forehead.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then, in a voice so low I almost thought I imagined it, he whispered, "I'm sorry."

The words barely reached my ears, but they lingered, unsettling something in my chest.

He washed up quickly, the quiet rustling of water and fabric filling the tiny room. Then, with the same cautiousness, he slipped into bed beside me.

Our bed was cheap and rickety—just shifting slightly made the frame creak. I turned onto my side, careful not to wake him.

Moonlight spilled in through the window, casting pale shadows across the walls.

I glanced up.

Pax was already asleep. His face was calm, his features relaxed in a way they never were when he was awake.

I reached for his phone, my fingers moving instinctively over the familiar passcode.

It unlocked without hesitation.

Nina was back.

And the reason he had rushed out tonight—was to pick her up.

In the group chat, his friends were already having their fun:

"Nina's back earlier than expected. Let's see how Pax gets out of this one."

"Tsk, so you're still going back to that shabby little apartment tonight?"

"You haven't broken up with her yet? Damn, don't tell me you're actually getting attached?"

Pax's reply was simple.

In the silence, his steady breathing filled the room.

Then, somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, Pax shifted.

His arm draped over my waist, pulling me close.

Half-conscious, voice slurred, he murmured against my ear.

I listened carefully, waiting for the words to form.

It was the same as before."I'm sorry."

I lifted a hand, covering my eyes.But really, there was nothing to be sorry for.We had gotten what we wanted.

Seven days from now, he would return to being Lord. Pax.

And I—I would be gone.