Chapter 2049

Jocelyn closed the taxi door, slipped her key into the new lock, and pushed. The door sighed open, revealing a hush so wide it seemed to swallow her footsteps.

She thought Yannick must still be at work, so she didn't give him a call.

She settled onto the couch, pulled the slender gold card Nicholas had given her from her coat, and nested it deep inside her purse like a secret.

She then sent Yannick a message: "I found Nicholas. He's safe—I'm home."

Assured he knew her whereabouts, Jocelyn had nothing left to do. She cleaned every surface until it shone, then dozed through the long afternoon. As evening crept in, she tied an apron, chopped vegetables, and filled the table with dishes meant for two.

Minutes stretched into an hour; steam faded, and the food lay cooling under the kitchen light. Worried, she dialed Yannick.

At that moment, Yannick had just reached his destination, phone vibrating in his palm with Jocelyn's name flashing across the screen.

He had seen her earlier text, felt a knot of frustration tighten, and chosen silence. Now, after a pause heavy enough to hear his own breath, he accepted the call.

"Jocelyn." Yannick's voice sounded lower than usual.

you're not home yet? Still working overtime?" She spoke quickly,

a sky the color of bruised copper while fresh snow cracked beneath his boots. It felt colder than it should have in the early

disappointment slipped through before she could catch it. "Just stay safe, get some

him. He crouched by a frozen embankment and,

"I know," he murmured.


I'll let you go so you can work,"

ear.

voice sharpened. "I'm actually not that busy-stay on

hovered between them

what really happened with Nicholas? He vanished overnight." Yannick searched for something neutral

she admitted. "He

but he never

could smother it. "I told you he

right. I was overthinking," she

take you out for a meal,

her ear, heat stinging her eyes-gratitude and guilt folding together inside

the words as though an apology could warm the cooling dishes

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