Chapter 2 Sleeping at His Side

Wrapping a bath towel around herself, anxious but determined, Alison approached the door.

I’ll give myself to him, she thought, so there's no room for regret.

She cracked the door open—Colton stood there, stunned for a moment before stepping inside quickly.

“Alison...oh god...”

Words failed him. He’d never seen her like this before, completely naked.

Her cheeks flushed with her head bowed low—she felt mortified by her own vulnerability.

“Alison…” Colton exhaled sharply, lifting her gently and laying her on the bed, tucking a sheet over her trembling body.

“Silly girl, no matter what happens, you are always the love of my life.” he said softly, his voice calm.

The tears she’d held back all night finally streamed down her cheeks, her sobs muffled against his chest.

Curled in the blanket, she clung to him for what felt like an eternity—his embrace the only thing holding her together.

When exhaustion finally claimed her, she whispered unable to fight her fatigue, “I’m tired. I need to sleep.”

Colton, gently lifted her like a child and settled her into the tiny bed—the smallest in all T City.

He tucked her in, smoothed over the covers, and murmured, “Okay...my lovebug. Sleep tight.”

Warmth bloomed slowly as she watched him stand there, broad-shouldered yet tender in every movement.

She wanted to beg him to make love to her, but his gentleness terrified her. Why wasn’t he doing anything?

He just took care of her, asking nothing in return. Perhaps he stayed silent to spare her shame.

“Will you lie with me? Just for a while?” she whispered, voice barely audible.

He brushed her tears away, murmured into her ear, “Alison, I’ll always be by your side. Promise me—never disappear again. When you’re gone, I was lost.”

She saw the exhaustion in his bloodshot eyes, knowing he’d searched for her all night.

They fell asleep curled together on the narrow bed, a rare moment of peace with Colton beside her.

When Alison awoke, he was gone. On the nightstand lay a note explaining that he’d gone to work but would return after his shift.

But would she still be here by then?

She’d gone a day without food or rest, yet she couldn’t move, just stared at the sunset as the room dimmed.

She wasn’t afraid of the dark. The city’s countless lit windows only made her tiny room feel darker by comparison.

None of it mattered anymore. Brightness, people—she dreaded them all.

Most of all, she dreaded the man who would come at ten, a stranger who would claim her in the night.

The clock ticked relentlessly, a countdown to her fate.

Tomorrow felt like a doomed beginning.

She sat up slowly, knowing she had to leave early—the address was a two-bus ride away.

It felt surreal, like preparing for a date, but she knew nothing would be the same after tonight.

She packed her few belongings, knowing she’d never return to this room or to Colton.

Her landlady asked wishfully, “Miss Fairchild, are you sure you want to move?”

“Yes, I got a job far away. Thank you for everything...Um...I gotta go, goodbye,” Alison lied, forcing a smile she didn’t feel.

Anyway, what tormented her most was how to face it with courage.

On the bus, she sent Colton a final text: Don’t look for me. Goodbye.

The pain was mutual, but necessity overshadowed regret.

She turned off her phone, unsure if she’d ever use this number again.

Arriving in T City’s glittering downtown, she felt like a stone sinking into deep water.

This was a deal with no return for her.

Following the address from the email, she found the building. To her surprise, a cactus, her favorite, sat outside the door.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled out the key and unlocked the door.

Darkness greeted her—the man hadn’t arrived yet, only silence echoed through the apartment.

When he came, her world would shatter. The Alison of yesterday would be gone.

By the city’s faint glow, she made out the lavish furnishings: a sleek living room with a bar, a bedroom, a gourmet kitchen.

She quietly entered the bedroom, unsettled and out of place. Alone, except her own reflection stared back from the window. She stripped her clothing and tiptoed to the bathroom at 9:30 p.m.

Lights flickered on in the ensuite, surrounding her with mirrors that trapped her in a maze of reflections.

This is what men want, she thought.

She showered thoroughly, drying every inch of skin and hair.

Still no sign of mystery man.

She slipped into the bed, waiting for her inevitable fate.

Darkness swallowed her as night fell.