CHAPTER 156

DARLENE

I batted blindly at the heavy cotton of the duvet, gasping loudly when I broke out on the surface, the blurry monochrome walls of the room gently sharpening the longer my eyes stayed screwed wide.

I looked to see that it was still dark outside, the fire in the stone-marbled hearth of the fireplace burned low, a crackle of blue and cobalt flames.

“Shit,” I swore loudly, dragging my weary bones from my spreadeagled sprawl on the bed and placing my feet on the cold tile of the floor.

I just have come up at some point after my talk with Fredrick, slamming facedown into the sheets and not checking if Alexander was asleep already. I felt my eyes widen when I realized I hadn't seen my husband the whole day after I snuck out.

Where was Alexander? I rustled for the shiny lime green of my iPhone on the nightstand, dialing his number and heaving a reluctant sigh when his mobile was switched off.

”Lisa? Lisa are you there?” I called loudly, digging my fingers into my palms when the silenc