stling of papers and the rare murmur from the clerk. One single ceiling fan whirred in a soft hum; its monotony heightened the stil

composed, detached, as though nothing could reach beneath the surface. She had long stopped trying to understand

ered. Today, those walls wou

nce, serene and matter-of-fact. "Are both part

ady, though her fingers tighten

ded curt

te. He handed the papers to the clerk, barely glancing

ur years of enduring cold indifference, of longing for warmth that neve

ght, almost surreal. Gathering her belongings, she hesi

, her voice carrying no malice, no

luded her. Surprise? Regret? It happened too fast for her to reall

from the courthouse, each step feeling like she was

outside, the cool air hitting her. The air was lighter and

clicking on the stone. The street bustled with life; the hum of th

han, her little brother or maybe a walk in the park-a very long

ouse. Adam hadn't followed her out. She hadn't expected him to.

e. She didn't need his acknowledgment, his approval, or e

s of her new life. Maybe she'd go back to school, finish the degree she'd put on hold. Maybe she

that she didn't notice the scree

nd of a car slamming into something. The impact sent her spr

it was quickly replaced by a strange numbness. She tr

he became aware of voices-shouts, gasps,

n she s

d

contorted in panic and fear; his eyes, always so cold and d

ands trembling as he reached out to her.

o tell him she was fine, to reassure him, but the words w

d low, her voice barely a

orld faded

, his hands stained with her blood. The metallic scent clung t

watched

ir faces as they emerged from the operating room had

t of her loss had fallen on him and was crush

n of her eyes, carrying with grace despite everything, the softn

erything he had done-or failed to do-she ha

r gratitude. He hadn'

of his spiraling thoughts. He pulled it out an

hand, he answer

ice demanded, sharp with worry.

s voice was devoid of emotion, as if saying the wor

nned silence on

r started, her tone

" he snapped, his voice harde

tossing the phone onto the chair beside him.

gged on, Adam ma

it all over again, he wouldn't w