Serena sat alone in the living room, the lights dimmed low, the house unusually quiet. She kept glancing at her phone, waiting for Roman to walk through the door or at least send a text—I’m on my way, I’ll be late, anything.

Nothing came.

She exhaled slowly, hugging her arms around herself. The excitement of the past few days had faded into a strange restlessness she couldn’t explain.

The front door opened. Serena lifted her head. “Roman?”

But the footsteps were hesitant and heavy.

“Serena…”

Her heart skipped. She knew that voice.

Ryan stepped into view. His face was pale, eyes rimmed red, his jaw tight like he was holding...