There. He had admitted that part out loud to someone other than the nagging echo in his subconscious. Darius let the silence settle as he looked Livia up and down. She stood rigid, arms at her sides, her expression unreadable. She didn't even blink. He could almost hear the thoughts rattling in her skull– He's lost it. He's gone completely, raving mad.
"Did you hear me?" Darius asked.
Livia flinched when she registered his words, he looked her up and down. Finally, she sighed and turned her back to him, she crossed her hands and shook her head. She sighed and looked up to the ceiling, hoping there would be some mishap that would take her away from this abominable situation.
"I heard you," Livia said finally.
The woman laughed, an empty sound. She cut her eyes toward him, not bothering to hide the ache behind her scorn. "I just hoped this might be some sort of dream. Tell me it is."
Darius pursed his lips and tilted his head to the side. "You know it is not."
