CLAIRE

The house felt too quiet when we got back. Julian closed the door behind us, the soft click echoing more than it should. I walked further into the living room, my steps slower now, like my body didn’t quite know what to do with everything that had just happened.

I dropped my bag on the couch and stood there for a second, staring at nothing. “Sit,” Julian said gently.

I didn’t argue. I sank onto the couch, my hands resting in my lap, fingers loosely clasped together. He didn’t sit right away. He loosened his tie, watching me like he was trying to read something I wasn’t saying.

“Talk...