Chapter 62. I'm Not Leaving This Unfinished

S:

The drive back feels longer than it is.

Or maybe it’s the silence.

Eliza’s curled in the backseat beside Rae.

Arms crossed.

Eyes hard.

But I see the twitch in her jaw.

The way her fingers curl into her sleeves.

She’s holding it together—for Rae.

Rae, on the other hand—

She’s doing what she always does.

Pretending she’s fine.

Back straight.

Eyes fixed on the window.

Mouth drawn in a tight, neutral line.

But I see the tremble in her hand resting on her thigh.

I see the way she keeps rubbing at the same spot.

Over and over.

Like she can scrub off the feeling of being watched.

Kieran glances at me through the rearview.

We exchange a look.

He says nothing.

He doesn’t have to.

We pull through the gates.

Guards posted.

More than usual.

I ordered a double rotation the second we left the café.

The moment the car stops, I’m out.