Evening came, and I drove home at a leisurely pace along the quiet roads. There was no urgency to return, no pressure to be on time for dinner, no fear of Lorenz’s displeasure. In the past, I would have pushed the car past every limit, ensuring I arrived precisely when he demanded, for the ritual of shared meals—breakfast and dinner—was one of the few rules he enforced.
I never understood why he clung to those routines when there was no love, no connection. Perhaps it was for show, proof to the pack and staff that we were a “proper couple,” though we lived apart, slept apart, existed apart.
But when I entered the manor, I was met with a sight that made my chest tighten.
Gritte, Lorenz’s younger sister, lounged on the couch with Emily, shopping bags from high-end boutiques piled around them.
“Oh, you’re finally back, Toni,” Gritte sneered, her tone dripping with entitlement. “Why so late? We’re hungry. The chef didn’t come. Go cook for us.”
Her words stung, a reminder of all the thankless service I had rendered for them. Emily avoided my eyes, fussing over a new handbag as though I weren’t even there.
Lorenz appeared from the hallway, as if materializing from the shadows. “No need to worry about cooking tonight. We’ll eat out,” he announced, his voice softening instantly when he glanced at Emily. “What do you feel like, Lily?”
Her face brightened. “Steak! Can we go to our favorite place? The one from college?”
Without hesitation, he grabbed the keys. Watching them together, so at ease, I slipped toward the door, hoping to avoid witnessing this little reunion.
Lorenz’s voice cut through the space, sharp and commanding. “Come with us. You must be hungry, too.”
I hesitated, keeping my tone steady. “No, thanks. I’m not.”
“That wasn’t a question, Toni,” he said, his voice darker now, laced with irritation.
I exhaled, the weight of his presence pressing down, and relented. “Fine,” I murmured.
In the car, Lorenz and Emily sat up front, laughing, sharing memories, while I was pushed to the back with Gritte. She kept as much distance as possible, treating me like a stranger.
The city blurred past the window as they reminisced, their comfort and connection stabbing at my chest.
When we arrived at the restaurant, my stomach twisted at bitter recognition. The same steakhouse Lorenz had taken me to countless times, a place I once thought was ours—it had always belonged to him and Emily.