e circular driveway just as th

ning with him. He loosened his silk tie, the exhaustion of a fourteen-hou

e foyer. She wore a pristine pastel c

velyn said, reaching out to ta

smile broke through his fatigue. He r

he watched the exchange, her stomach turning over,

an serving the roasted duck

serving tongs and placed the best

want you to know I made a really mature decision today. I cut ties with th

h profound relief, then turned his eyes toward Christa,

k red liquid, her eyes locking onto Grant's. She gave

e dinner chatting happily about her history project, convi

rt was cleared,

elyn said, practically s

e. She looked at Grant, who was reaching fo

with me to th

that made Grant freeze. He put the remote

step inside, then pushed the heavy soundproof door shut. She

top drawer and pulled out her smartphone, syncing

usion pulling at his features.

ssed the play button and turned

t hours ago. Christa had left her phone recording on the

venom. "Grant is such an easy mark. The guy is a complete idiot. I just sque

breath

ing continued. "It's just to keep them off our backs. I'll

. The silence in the

e veins in his neck bulged against his collar. His che

n the mahogany wood. The p

s lock, ready to tear the door op

ectly between Grant and the door, pre

nt growled, his voic

e will say she was just acting tough for her boyfriend. She will pack a bag, run out i

h ground together. "So we just let th

ng her wedding ring. "We give her exac

her. He looked down at his w

king her curfew. We stop policing her friends. When you remove the pressure, the rat come

rmal. The blind rage in his eyes shifte

ver to the leather armchair and sank into

order, then up at Christa.