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He didn’t move. Not immediately. Fear tightened his face. Then he nodded. One step backward. Another. He reached for the door and before closing it, his eyes found mine one last time.

I knew what he was asking. Are you safe?

I gave the smallest nod.

The door closed.

Silence.

Real silence.

No doctor.

No Vivienne.

No men.

Just us.

Bethany’s fingers tightened around mine. Hard. I turned. Her eyes were already waiting. But they were different now. Focused. Too focused.

My skin prickled. “Bethany?”

Her lips parted and for several seconds, nothing came. Then⁠—

“He was right, you know.”

My blood turned cold. “Who?”

Bethany stared at me. She didn’t need to answer.

Cloves filled my memory.

Smoke.

Rain soaked into wool.

The wet whistle of breath.

My fingers went numb around hers. “No.”

Bethany shuddered. “He told me you’d come.”

I couldn’t breathe. “Come where?”

She shook her head.

Not answering.

Or couldn’t.

“He told me…” Her voice fractured. She swallowed. Tried again. “He told me to tell you.”

My heart hammered. “Tell me what?”

Bethany leaned closer. Her hand crushed mine. “He’ll tell you everything.” A tremor ripped through her. “Just like he told me.”

I stared at her. “What did he tell you?’