We were both drowning in reality.
And then the sob broke loose from her chest, and I was at her side, gripping her hand tight, holding on like she was the only thing tethering me to the earth.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so...”
She shook her head, her fingers squeezing mine back. “Thank you,” she rasped, voice raw. “For everything you did.”
“I failed,” I croaked. “She’s gone.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head again. “You helped her. You helped her see the truth and understand her worth. That she deserved a bright future... and she did. The last conversation I had with Sofia was filled with so much hope. She started dreaming again.”
I pressed my lips together, blinking hard.
The fire inside me didn’t go out.
It burned hotter.
CHAPTER 8
HARLAN - EXPLOSION OF COLOUR
I showed up at the hospital early. Coffee in hand. Three cups.
I wasn’t sure who’d still be here, but something told me Ava wouldn’t have left. And if Ava was here, then I knew deep down so was Remi. I hadn't known them for long, barely a day, but I had gathered that much about them. I figured the third cup might go untouched, but it felt wrong to show up without one. Like I was still trying to make up for something I hadn’t fully named.
The parking lot was quiet. A pale blue November sky breaking over the tops of pine trees, the kind of cold morning light that didn’t warm a damn thing. My boots echoed too loudly in the corridor, a reminder that the world hadn’t quite woken up yet. I was working my way towards the elevators when someone caught my eye.
I found her outside, sitting alone on a concrete bench tucked beside the east wing. The sun was barely up, just a smear of gold along the edge of the sky, but she was already there. Alert. Quiet. Watching the horizon like it might offer answers.
Her hood was pulled up, but wisps of dark auburn hair curled out from beneath it. Her hands were clasped around nothing with her sleeves pulled tight, but her posture was steady. Like a soldier waiting on orders. Or a woman waiting for the next punch from the world.
I hesitated for a second, then walked over.
"Didn’t peg you for a morning person, Ms. Carter," I said, holding out one of the cups.
She didn’t take it right away. Just studied me with that quiet, serious gaze that didn't match her youth. Hazel eyes flecked with green, sharp and old in a way that made me feel like she’d lived threelives before this one. The kind of wisdom you didn’t earn in years. You earned it in scars.
Finally, she reached forward, fingers brushing mine.
"Figured you’d still be here," I added.
She nodded once.
We sat in silence. The kind that felt companionable, not heavy. I hadn’t meant to talk, but something about her made it easy. Maybe it was the way she didn’t push. Didn’t flinch. Like she was here waiting for me... waiting to listen. Waiting to give me a chance to be heard. Which instantly made me understand why she excelled at her job.
"I promise I’m not a bad guy," I said.
She didn’t smile, didn't frown. Just waited.
"I came back to Sable Valley about a year ago. After… a loss. Someone in my unit. We were close. I broke protocol. Didn’t follow the rules, and it cost me more than I can explain."
Remi didn’t interrupt. Just sipped her coffee and listened.
"After that, I needed to come home. Started working under my dad. He was the chief here for years. Old-school, but good at what he did. He passed six months ago. A heart attack, it was sudden and unexpected."
Remi’s eyes softened. "I’m sorry."
"Thank you. I took over after that. No ceremony. No time to think. Just stepped in, and it’s been a blur ever since."
