Page 59 of The Man in the Cottage

That's your answer then.

But what if—

No. Stop. Her next message comes through fast, emphatic. You're doing that thing where you look for reasons to sabotage something good. You did it with Jaxson in college. You did it with that guy from your old job. You get scared and you start looking for exits.

I stare at the screen. She's not wrong. I do have a pattern of my own.

This is different, I type.

Is it? Or is it just scarier because you actually care this time?

I don't have an answer for that.

Just talk to him, Nicole says. Show him the email. Let him respond. Don't make decisions based on what his manipulative sister says without giving him a chance to explain.

Okay.

Promise me.

I promise.

Good. Now go write your book and stop spiraling. Love you.

Love you too.

I put down the phone and stare out the window. She's right. I know she's right. But the doubt has already taken root, spreading through my chest like something cold and heavy.

Travis has a pattern.

He shuts people out.

He disappears when things get complicated.

I think about the past few weeks. How happy we've been, how easy it's felt. The dates, the conversations, the way he looks at me like I'm something precious. Has it been too easy? Too good to be true?

Or am I letting his sister's poison do exactly what it was designed to do?

The back door opens, and Travis walks in, bringing cold air and that familiar soap-and-ice smell. He's flushed from skating, his hair damp, his eyes bright. When he sees me standing in the kitchen, he smiles.

"Hey. You okay? You look worried."

I should tell him. Right now, show him the email, let him explain. That's what a healthy relationship looks like—honesty, communication, no secrets.

But the words stick in my throat. Because part of me is afraid of what he'll say. Part of me is afraid Savannah is right.

"I'm fine," I say. "Just stuck on a scene."

"The book?"

"Yeah. The wife found the evidence, but I can't figure out what she does next."

"Ah." He crosses to the coffee maker and pours himself a cup. "The hard part. You've got the revelation—now you need the reaction."

"Exactly."

He leans against the counter, watching me. "You sure you're okay? You seem off."

"Just tired. Didn't sleep well."