Chapter 398

Shelmaine hadn't kicked Samuel out yet, which was already more grace than he deserved. Yet still, he clung on, insisting on explaining himself. What was there to explain? She'd heard more than enough already. Samuel stood there, watching as she walked into her room, closing the door behind her. A moment later, the sound of the lock clicking echoed in the air. She hadn't forgotten to guard herself against him. Her heart, like the locked door, was shut tight, completely inaccessible to him now. He spent the night on the living room couch, washing his clothes and hanging them up to dry, realizing he hadn't brought a change of clothes in his rush to come over. When the craving for a cigarette hit, he stepped onto the balcony to smoke, careful not to let the scent linger inside. He remembered Shelmaine hated the smell of cigarettes. The next morning, Shelmaine was roused by the smell of food. A part of her thought she was dreaming, as if some fairy had come to cook her breakfast. But