The next morning.
Morning came too soon, even though all I wanted was to hide under the sheets and shut out the world.
I woke up with a start, my eyes squinting to take in the sunlit streaks that flooded the room.
I got out of bed and made my way into the bathroom and caught my reflection in the vanity mirror.
For a moment, I just stared at the woman staring back at me. I didn't see Isabelle or Yvette. I just saw a mask.
My hair was a bird's nest of tangled silk, my mascara had bled into dark, bruised circles under my eyes, and my lips... my lips were still slightly swollen.
I didn't remember when I finally drifted to sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the phantom pressure of Cassian's hands on my skin and the hunger of that kiss and how intense it had felt, like nothing I've ever experienced, and then before I could savour the feeling again, the icy splash of Ryan's voice would tear through.
"Hello, Yvette Swan."
