wn. Hearing Julian's heavy footsteps retreat into his stud

ime, even after he had wounde

ht spilling into the hallway. She approached q

, and her hand froze. He was

," Leo said, his voice full of pride. "

e said, his tone shifting. "She's a mute.

ew to her mouth

sed note creeping in. "But... I don't know. Aunt Seraphina can't draw like Mom. She can't act out the bedtime storie

"I wish Dad would marry Aunt Seraphina," Leo continued, his v

cing her straight through the heart. She

he back of her hand. The last, fragile thread

ked away without a sound, and turned, walking

e complex code for the electronic lock.

, not once looking back at the luxurious

. She avoided the main exit with its security cameras, inste

. She had no umbrella. She let the i

t the corner, shoving her suitcase into t

corner of Brooklyn-a derelict old house that h

she stared out the window at the blurred, gli

river with the last of her cash and dragged her su

a rusty key. It took some effort, but the lock finally turned. She

nst it, sliding slowly to the floor. There, in the suffocating darkn

ished the last of his work in his study. He rubbe

wo in the morning. He stood, picked up his empty

oft glow of the bedside lamp she always left on

. His eyes scanned the rumpled,

oset and pulled open the door

amond wedding ring, sitting alone and cold on the marble surfa

were the dark strands of her severed h

ng-something like panic-prickled at the back of his neck.

nated from the phone on the vanity. He swore under

cold smirk touched his lips. "Let's see how long you last out th