Chapter 12

The countdown is almost over.

Two days

Fall is here. The air is crisper now, with a freshness that wasn’t there before. The sky is weighed down by thick clouds, and drizzle begins to form fog on the streets, making the sidewalks slippery.

I wrap my shirt tighter around me, the thin fabric doing nothing to keep out the cold. I slip on my slippers and walk downstairs slowly, carefully, as if delaying my final routine here.

And then-

A black umbrella tilts toward me, shielding me from the rain before I can even notice the drops hitting my skin.

“Always walk in the rain.” comes a low, familiar voice. “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

I pause.

He holds the umbrella handle tightly–too tight. The tendons in his fingers stand out, and his knuckles pale from the

pressure.

Pax Brown.

No more pretending.

No more wearing faded hoodies or worn sneakers. No more carefully crafting an image of a struggling man. He stood before me now, radiating the quiet, gaily–bred wealth that had always been second nature to him.

But his face–his expression-

That hadn’t changed.

He smiled.

As if nothing had happened.

someone he’d been deceiving for two

the midst

My voice was light, nonchalant. Detached, as if he’d shown up at my doorstep to sell me a

slipping in an instant.

I almost laughed.

Chapter 12

always decide the rules of our conversations?

much I could know, how much I could

few days ago, stood in that hospital room, looking at me with cold, distant

you walk out that door, we’re

And yet

He’s here.

I’m sorry. Let me

I didn’t answer.

explain.”

bought Nina –

voice was low and careful, as if he thought it could be redeemed, as if he thought the right words could

always been close–it would have been inappropriate not

I didn’t move.

exhaled and pressed his fingers to his temple. His expression was a careful combination of guilt and sincerity, so close to believability that he might have succeeded if I

I’ve been

reckless and arrogant. They

I was with you, I was just a boy. A man

stared at him.

I felt like I was split in two. I didn’t know

when you found out the truth, I panicked.” His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I

me should

All

that explained

was warm, patient, and gentle.

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