CHAPTER 16

The front door shut with a quiet click behind them, but the sound felt thunderous in the silence of the house. Pearl didn’t realize how tightly she had been clutching Ethan’s arm until she felt his hand gently peel hers away. “Are you okay?” he murmured. His voice was low, soft—meant for late hours and fragile nerves. Pearl nodded numbly, her eyes glazed and vacant. She hadn’t said much on the drive back, and Ethan hadn’t pushed. He kept the car steady, his jaw tight with restrained fury, glancing over at her every few minutes to make sure she was still breathing. Now, back at the quiet of her living room, surrounded by the dim golden light from a corner lamp, the night finally caught up to her. Her knees wobbled. Ethan was there in a second, steadying her by the waist. “I’m okay,” she whispered, though her voice cracked halfway through the lie. “We are home, you are safe here,” he said. “You are allowed to be vulnerable.” She sank into the couch like someone slowly drowning, her