EMBER’S POV

Rafael’s jaw tightens. Something moves behind his eyes, a strange hurt that twists my chest in the wrong way. Nonetheless, he steps back and raises both hands, palms out.

“Fine.” He drops the manila envelope at my feet. It hits the floor with a heavy thud. “I’m not taking it back with me. It’s yours. Your truth. Your choice what to do with it.”

He walks to the door and pauses.

“But when he breaks your heart today — and he will, Ember, because that’s what he does — don’t say I didn’t try to save you from it.”

He leaves. The door clicks shut behind him.

I...