g the Manhattan skyline in bruised shades of purple and orange. She

ate was silent, the interior of the cheap sedan smelling of stale pine ai

ered. Harrison was home; the As

itchen. It was empty.

e was still in his suit trousers and a white shi

asked. No hello. No

hausted, her bones aching with a de

p of his drink. "I didn't want them to witness your m

t make

ast him towa

rrison snapped. The ic

laced a hand on the marble b

aph

he sudden noise echoed

her head to look at him, distra

issed the

on the edge of the marble. Her ankle twist

fe

ing down two stairs before coming to a halt. A

er, stifling a scream. She curled into

break; it bounced on the rug. He rushe

e

le. It was already swelling, puffin

voice had dropped the arr

out to pi

he same hands that had grabbed her wrist ear

onal and fera

away from him, pressing her back

he ga

id-motion. He hovered there, his arms outstretche

he said, sounding offended

hispered. Her chest heaved

r escaped her throat as weig

lenched. He igno

walk, he s

her up in

lean into him, refusing to let her head rest on his sho

plush cream sofa. He turned and walked to the kitchen, returning mom

ed her shoe with surprisingly ge

, his eyes searching hers. For a second, he looked like the

rt? he ask

t a pang of sadness. It was a gr

too late,

n and pushed th

it myself

fee table for leverage, and stood u

"Seraphina, stop bein

u to leav

oward the guest room on the fir

the door. The click of the loc

ving room, the melting ice pack drip