50

The way he looks at you. But I don’t say that because it’ll make me a pathetic fool, and I’m anything but. If anything, I’m the villain of this tale. I’m the reason her beloved brotherhood will be wiped away. When I don’t say anything, Rai considers the subject closed and places my leather shoes by my feet. “Do you want me to help?” “I can at least do that myself. Go before me. I will follow.” “Are you sure you don’t want me to help? It’ll be quick.” “You’re becoming a wife way too fast, Rai.” But I feel like it’s only because she feels guilty that I took a bullet for her great-uncle. That’s the reason why she wouldn’t leave my side all this time. It’s gratitude. I hate that fucking word. I don’t want her to feel gratitude toward me. I want her to be with me because she needs my presence as much as I can’t breathe without hers. But there will be a different time and place for that. One day, she will snuggle into my arms, not because she feels grateful for my ‘heroic’ acts, but because