Almost every scar bore his name in some way, except one. My fingers instinctively traced the three-centimeter line along my jaw, the only wound that predated him. A faint ache accompanied the memory, but it was dulled by the sheer weight of all the others.
I must have lost track of time because a knock came at the door, breaking through my reverie.
"Aubrey?" Dennis called, his voice tinged with concern. "Are you okay? Do you need help?"
"I'm fine," I replied quickly, opening the door.
The steam followed me out in a curling haze, tinting my skin a flushed pink. Dennis's eyes widened briefly before he turned his head, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. He busied himself by picking up the ointment and holding it out to me.
"Here. You should apply this before it gets worse."
"Thanks, but I can do it myself," I said, taking the tube from him.
I dabbed the ointment onto my cheek with a cotton swab, hissing softly as the sting flared.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the counter. Cayden.
I hesitated before answering, sliding my finger across the screen.
"Where are you? I don't see you anywhere," he said, his voice slightly breathless, as though he'd been running. Beneath the urgency, there was a faint edge of reproach.
"Dennis brought me to a hotel," I replied evenly.
There was a pause. I imagined Cayden standing near the lake where Catherine had fallen in, his brows furrowing as they always did when something displeased him.
"Dennis? What are you doing at a hotel with Dennis?" His tone sharpened, irritation laced with something else.
The phone was on speaker. Dennis, now sitting cross-legged by the edge of the bed, perked up like a child overhearing gossip.
"Hiss—" I let out a soft gasp as the ointment stung again.
"What happened? Are you hurt? Which hotel are you at? Send me the address," Cayden demanded, his voice turning commanding.
"It's fine," I replied curtly, keeping my tone neutral. "Dennis will take me back later."
I hung up before he could respond. My reflection in the mirror stared back, pale and blotchy. The swelling on my cheek was pronounced, a vivid reminder of how little I mattered to Cayden when his temper flared.
The thought made me chuckle bitterly. When will I finally give up on him? The smallest hint of kindness and I softened again.
When I turned, I caught Dennis crouched by the bathroom door, his curly hair bobbing as he leaned closer, clearly eavesdropping.