-- Grizelda --

The next morning, the loud sound of my alarm pinched through my ears. I dragged myself from bed even though I knew I had no plans of leaving the house. I decided to work from home this time.

I stepped into the shower first thing and took a cold bath before wrapping myself in a thick bathrobe and heading down the stairs to be sure Leo hadn't gone to school yet. I needed to see him. I needed to see the face that lighted my soul and gave me reason to stay alive in this cruel world.

He sat at the dining table, all focus on the...