[22]

"I didn't expect you to move on so quickly with someone else."

Jane almost dropped the plate she had just finished washing. She never anticipated a time when she would be alone with the man who didn't want to see her anymore. Though... it's tough. Since his arrival, Jane has been keeping her distance, avoiding direct interaction. Occasionally, she just responds with superficial chatter.

The beautiful woman tries to compose herself. She can't let herself be affected by his presence. Through the corner of her eye, she notices that he's not far from her, just behind her back. The small kitchen and the arrangement of furniture, so different from her previous home, make their proximity uncomfortably close.

"What do you need?" Jane asks, trying to keep herself calm. She mustn't let her hands tremble, even though her heart keeps praying for Austin to leave her alone soon.

The intimidation Austin imposes on her life makes it hard for Jane to forget that he has no