Chapter 59: A free woman

ANNALISE'S P.O.V.

I slowly looked up, and Sin was still by the edge of the bed, horror etched in his eyes. I wondered what I would have done to have him looking like that, to have him so visibly trying to avoid me.

"Sin," I managed to say through the shaky vibrations of my body, the tears slightly blurring him from my sight.

He blinked, then turned away, his hand slowly coming to clasp over his mouth.

"Sin? I just... "

"No," he said, cutting me off. "I will sleep in the study."

I bit down on my lips as he slowly got out of his bed, then fixed his shirt. He took one step away from me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Sin, please. I am sorry."

"You don't need to apologize for anything, Annalise. You should rest. It has been a long day."

"But, Sin... I know I might have said something to you. I swear it wasn't my intention."

He gave a small sigh, then met my eyes. I wasn't sure what I saw in them, as the emotions kept flickering back and forth, never stopping at one.

"I know. I know whatever you said wasn't meant for me."

I blinked slowly, then nodded. "You... you are not that man."

He looked almost hurt at this point, and I started to wonder what it was exactly. I could remember the nightmare, Enrique. Had I called Enrique's name, too? Was Sin suspicious of me now?

"I know," Sin finally said, then turned away again. "I am not that man."

I nodded, closing my eyes. "And...Sin. Enrique is.... "

"You should sleep."

Before I could say another word, he was gone, leaving the words I wanted to say floating in the air between us.

I settled back, closing my eyes, tears slowly rushing from under my closed lids. The last thing I wanted was for Sin to find out about me like this, but at the same time, I wondered if I should tell him myself.

I could feel the dynamics of our relationship slowly evolving. I could tell that there was something more between us than that piece of paper I had so reluctantly signed, and it scared me to death that something that I had no control over could be the reason I lost it all.

I slowly lay back in bed, watching the massive black glass chandelier, my heart weighing down on me. The weight proved to be too much , and I turned into the pillow, tears breaking through all of the cracks in my soul and wetting the pillow like some cursed nourishment from Mother Nature.

Gradually, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep, but at least I wasn't seeing nightmares, whether that was Enrique or losing Sin.

I woke up to slow movement and a soothing feeling right under my eyes. My brows furrowed, and I turned on my side, my hand resting on a warm, masculine thigh.

My confusion heightened, and I slowly sat up, my brows drawn together. Sin was sitting beside me, a damp swab of cotton wool in his right hand.

He looked pristine, dressed in a three-piece dark grey suit, without the jacket, however. His hair had the illusion of wetness and it fell in light, beautiful strands across his eyes.

"Good morning."

I could get used to this. No. I couldn't get used to this. This wasn't my view. I was a five month substitute.

"Good... good morning."

He gave a small smile, then moved his hand a little closer. "Can I?"

It made me wonder just how hard I had been on him last night for him to ask permission to touch me. Sin, who would touch the most delicate parts of me and set me on fire, was asking for permission to touch my face, and I couldn't help but hate Enrique even more for the scars he had left on me.

"Yes," I said, but before he could move, I leaned to him, grabbed his hand, and brought it to my cheek. I leaned into his touch, my lips parting, my eyes slowly closing as he covered my other cheek with his other hand.

"I don't know if I enjoy seeing you so obedient."

I looked up, my eyes feeling a little heavy. "I have no choice. It's obedience or..."

"Freedom," he said, cutting me off. "You either obey, succumb, fear, or you become a free woman."

I swallowed. I could see the fire blazing in his eyes, and I wish I had that confidence. I wish I had that might. I knew exactly what he meant. I was repeatedly succumbing to my fear of Enrique. Continuously. Every waking day. It made me hate my life.

"I... I wish I could, Sin. Your name alone commands fear. I wish I had that flair."

"Why can't you? You have me."

"I will not always have you," I said, tears filling my eyes again, but this time I wasn't sure if it was for the fear I felt or for the fact that I knew the time we had was limited.

"Then, get rid of it while I am with you. Break free while I am there to help you fly."

"You don't know a thing, Sin. If you knew who..."

"Even if it was me," he said, veins popping on his forehead now. His teeth were slightly gritted, and his eyes had darkened with blood thirst and revenge. "Hold a fucking gun to my head and make sure you walk out of there a free woman."

"Sin," I said, reaching for his arm. "I... I don't know how to do this. Where do I find him? How can I find the courage? How?"

Slowly, he let go of me, then stood up, his eyes covered with a layer of ice. His head slowly tilted upwards, and he turned to the closed door.

"That is why I have brought him to you, Annalise."

I could feel the color draining from my face. "Wh... what?"

The door slowly opened, and Enrique walked in. From the big smile on his face, I could tell he hadn't heard a word of the things Sin had said to me.

I turned to Sin, my heart sinking and breaking at the same time, my eyes filling with tears borne of fear.

"My brother will stay with us henceforth." Sin met my eyes, and I hated that I could read them.

'Even if it was me, hold a fucking gun to my head and make sure you walk out of there a free woman.'

I swallowed hard, and he gave me a small smile.

"Do with that information what you wish."