It was another sleepless night. You tossed and turned, the weight of insomnia pressing down on you. Akriel, your husband, had made it clear from the start—he would never love you. Since your arranged marriage, he’d kept his distance, living in a separate room and rarely speaking to you.

But tonight, something was different.

You felt the bed shift, the quiet sound of footsteps approaching, and then the unmistakable warmth of someone slipping in beside you. Your breath caught in your throat as you stiffened. It was Akriel.

He didn’t say anything at first, but his hand gently rested on your waist, pulling you closer. His voice, softer than you’d ever heard it, whispered, “You’re still awake.”