Immediately I walked in, James looked up at me, suspicion shadowing his features. His jaw was tight, his pen still in hand like he had been working on something, but I knew he'd been doing many calculations lately. He didn’t speak, but I felt the weight of his stare pressing down on me.

“You’re still awake?” I said softly, setting my purse on the desk.

“Where were you?” His voice was loud but restrained, like he was trying not to lash out; I could hear the strain. He didn’t trust me. Not anymore.

I smiled faintly, the kind of smile that offered no answers. “Out. You’ll find out soon enough.”...