He Wanted This Life

Sera

Sunlight burned my eyes as I rolled over onto my side to stare out the window and the icy landscape beyond.

I’d slept like the dead after Killian and I fought. The buttons of his shirt still littered my sheets. I picked one up and rolled it between my fingers, feeling like an idiot. A big, stupid idiot.

I didn’t know how to be what Killian needed me to be. We brought out the worst in each other in a lot of ways. I’d never been as true to myself, though. I’d always leaned into the doting, praise-worthy, and obedient daughter my father raised me to be, even when I went off on my own and became a teacher. I always aimed to please. I always did what I was told. I never spoke up. I never acted out. I walked a straight line and kept my chin up when inside, I was falling apart.

But with Killian, I couldn’t stop myself from being the Sera I’d so heavily guarded all these years. That was why it hurt so much, I surmised. I liked who I was with him. I liked how strong I’d become, and how co