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The car came to life with a loud beeping sound, and I tugged on the knob. As soon as I was inside, I stuffed the papers back into my bag. Then I set my purse down on my lap and twisted to face Albin, who stood outside the driver's door, a myriad of emotions across his face. Finally, he pulled on his door and got in. He placed both hands on the wheel, took a deep breath, and stared straight ahead.
Once the engine roared to life, I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or nervous.
All I knew was that I was curious.
Why did Albin think his parents’ house was so important?
I sat back against the seat and turned my face to the glass. Albin drove out of the garage and into the early morning sun, making me squint into the distance. People and cars rushed past us while the road ahead had few other vehicles. Albin kept both hands on the wheel and his jaw locked.
He only glanced over at me once but didn’t say anything.
I felt the weight of his gaze and clutched my purse.
Soon, the large metal buildings and narrow streets gave way to a wider route and thick foliage on either side of us. Little by little, the city gave way to the suburbs and the familiar sight of houses on either side. A lump rose in my throat as I swung my gaze back to Albin.
He held the steering wheel in a vice-like grip. For a while, I studied his features, from his smooth angular jaw to the long nose and full lips, till I stopped at his almond-shaped eyes. No matter how much I willed it, Albin still wouldn’t look at me.
Blocks away from Anne’s house, Albin pulled the car to a stop outside a two-story cream brick building. He let the engine idle for a few seconds before snapping the seatbelt back into place. Then he switched off the car, leaned forward, and peered through the windshield. I followed his gaze and took in the immaculate lawn and the house that glistened underneath the early morning sun.
It was a beautiful house, but it looked like a relic.
Like the loneliest house in the world.
Silently, Albin pushed his door open and got out of the car. I scrambled after him, and he led me through the small gate and up the gravel path. He stopped in front of the door, fished out his keys, and pushed them into the lock. The door creaked open, and Albin stepped to the side and motioned me forward. I ducked underneath his arm and glanced around, the musty and damp smell hitting me first.
When Albin flicked the lights on, I flinched. “That’s really bright.”
Albin dropped his hand and kicked the door shut. “I should fix that, but I’ve only been here a handful of times since my parents died.”
I waited for my vision to adjust before I glanced around, taking in the open floor kitchen overlooking the living room and a backyard with large trees. To my right, there was a staircase leading upstairs, and I saw Albin’s gaze linger there. I moved out of the hallway and wandered into the living room, where a picture of his family was hung over the fireplace.
“I’ve had a lot of great memories here,” Albin said in a hushed voice. “But being here is hard.”
“I’m sorry.”
Albin came to stand next to me and clasped his hands behind his back. “That night that we met in the mountains, I was on my way to meet my dad. We’d been butting heads a lot, but my ex had convinced me he was finally ready to listen.”
I tilted my head in Albin’s direction and pressed my lips together.
His expression turned sad. “We didn’t have the best relationship, but I loved my dad, and I know he loved me. That night was meant to be the start of something good, but he and my mom got into a car accident.”
Tears stung the back of my eyes.
“I was supposed to be there with them,” Albin continued in a softer voice. “But I wasn’t, and it wasn’t until a year later that I found out the truth.”
I swallowed. “The truth?”
Albin turned his gaze to me, and his expression was so solemn it broke my heart. “My parents’ death wasn’t an accident. I hired a private investigator because I had my suspicions, and he confirmed that someone tampered with the brakes.”
I gasped, and my hands flew to my mouth. “Who would do something like that?”
“I’ve never been able to find out.” Albin shook his head, and his expression hardened. “But I think it was one of their competitors. My dad was a rich and powerful man, and he had a lot of enemies.”
I reached out, and my hand hung in the air between us. “Albin, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what it must’ve felt like.”
Albin ran a hand over his face. “It felt like my entire world had come to a crashing halt, but there was nothing I could do about it. The company needed me, so I threw myself into work.”
I touched his arm and moved closer. “I’m sorry. I wish there were something else I could say.”
