ora

a Roman pillar that supported the patio roof. I pulled my

he exact same physical response I used whenever

ut into the freezing air. He had a phone pressed to h

e bright orange flame flared in the darkness, il

nd spoke into the phone. His voice w

eet away. Over the howling wind, his dee

need to be so nerv

ed. He was talki

he prison confirmed it. She finished her

my father was saying. Then, Jul

of any human empathy. "Let her freeze out there

my palms that the skin broke. Warm

th absolute arrogance. "All I have to do is show up tomorrow, giv

cern, because Julian's expressio

t. "If she hadn't taken the fall, Clara would be rotting in a cell right now,

ished, replaced by a terrifying, absolute zero void. My parents ha

g. "The transfer of the company shares wen

ors where Clara and the boy were playing. "Theo need

in the snow for another minute, taking slow drags of his cigar, looking

und and reached for t

n froze. He whipped his head back around, his e

omething. A shi

llar that my vertebrae bruised. My heart hammered violen

airs, his eyes locking directly ont

s sweet, high-pitched vo

lders. He shook his head, muttered something

ed shut. The deadbol

I slid down the rough surface of the

r. The despair in my eyes burned away, le

ket and pulled out my

een flickered to life for exactly two seconds. A notificatio

lian, sent ten

hite text illuminating my

meeting. I couldn't get away. I mi

ners of my mouth slowly curled upwa