Late that night, just as I'd fallen asleep, a loud, insistent banging on my door woke me up. After Irvin repeatedly figured out the new door codes I kept changing, I installed an additional lock on the inside of my door. Now, once I was home, no one could get in without my permission. "Emilia, open the door!" Hearing Irvin's voice, I sighed and sat back down on the couch. I didn't need to guess why he was here. Julianne must've woken up, and now that he had the time and energy, he'd come to confront me. I wasn't stupid. There was no way I was opening the door for someone who came to pick a fight. I figured he'd bang on the door for a while, lose his temper, and then leave. After all, tonight had been a disaster for his precious Julianne. He'd have plenty to do—cleaning up the mess, soothing her, and playing the perfect doting protector. Surely, he wouldn't waste too much time on me. But I underestimated him. "Emilia, I know you're in there. Open the door, or I'l
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