The Hollow Ache

f them could feel. The unspoken tension stretched, curling around them like a shadow, impossible to

open the door, and put an end to whatever this was. But in

ity,her body unmoving. "Because pretending you're immune to

moment, Elias wasn't sure if he was the one being ana

rward, his voice steady but laced with something alm

dy known the answer before she asked the question.

e wasn't supposed to feel this vulnerable-not in his profession, no

, his voice quiet, betraying none

said, her voice as calm and sure as ever. "And if you let go, just for a seco

ght. In a way, she was right about everything. He had spent his life controlling, analyzing, distancing himself from th

of her, he realized how ho

the same sharp gaze. "You've convinced

ough his voice lacked the cer

wing smile playing at the corners of

d for. He wanted to argue, to shut her down, but the tru

Not of this session. N

of them moving. Lillian stood, her eyes lingering on him just a moment too long befor

ctions. He had lived his life in control of his emotions, his de

idn't fully understand something ter

ling part? He didn'