Feverish Standoff

He wanted her to come home.

The villa felt hollow, and so did he. Without her there, his entire world had drained of color—everything seemed gray, dark, and stifling, like he couldn't get enough air.

"Fine, if you won't leave, then I will. Will that satisfy you?" Celine didn't want to waste another second here, arguing with someone so unreasonable.

She tossed the scissors onto a nearby armchair an